Academic and Faith Excellence:
Centering on teaching.
Educational Programs and Catholic Identity

Catholic schools fulfill a unique dual mission: faith formation and academic education. In the search for excellence, both are equally essential. Preparing the whole child-spiritually, morally, emotionally, socially, intellectually and physically-for leadership and service in the family, the community, and the world requires such a total focus.

Fostering Catholic identity

Catholic identity is the most compelling reason most parents choose Catholic schools for their children.

Role models of faith
As models of Catholic identity themselves, teachers and staff will play critical roles in conveying the four elements of Catholic faith:

• Catholic tradition and Gospel message
• Community of faith and service
• Worship and prayer
• Service of mercy, charity and social justice

Office of Schools support
The Office of Schools will support strengthening Catholic identity through various programs:

• Articulate a professional development plan to support integration of Catholic identity elements in every school
• Support teachers in integrating all aspects of Catholic identity into every facet of school life
• Compile benchmarks schools can use to assess their Catholic identity

School responsibilities
Schools will build on their efforts to reinforce Catholic identity:

• Development of a thought-provoking mission statement
• Reporting each year how they've integrated Catholic identity in all facets of school life
• Encouraging students to consider vocations in the Church
• Promoting integrated faith formation for the entire community

Strengthening academic quality

What distinguishes Catholic schools? It is the combination of Catholic identity and academic quality. Taking that next step-toward excellence-will be a matter of enhancing a foundation to support the following three areas:

High standards
High standards are a hallmark of Catholic education. The Academics and Faith Center anticipates efforts to reinforce this academic value:

• Use of the high school theology curriculum and K-8 Grade Specific Religion Curriculum established by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. To Teach as Jesus Did will be a foundational document to guide all teachers.
• Schools will challenge students to meet high standards of achievement, linking instruction and assessment and adjusting practices based on students' progress toward these standards.
• Continuing to use independent agencies (such as SPA-the School Planning and Accreditation program) in an even more rigorous accreditation process, ensuring every Catholic school delivers the quality our communities expect.
• The archdiocese will introduce a website for teachers, catechists and parents, offering resources, chat rooms and forums to support religious education at the elementary level.
• Religious assessments and tests will measure student performance in elementary and high schools.
• High school students will study eight semesters of theology.

An inclusive welcome
Every child should feel at home in a Catholic school. Catholic schools serve students of all academic abilities and enable each student to reach his/her potential. Schools and the archdiocese will collaborate to expand inclusiveness:

• Using a wide repertoire of instructional approaches to ensure equal access to learning.
• Developing new ways to reach students with special needs.
• Studying ways to minister to students who are at risk socially, economically, emotionally, spiritually and academically.
• Developing a pilot program for accelerated learners.
• Encouraging schools to respond to social and community needs by offering pre-school and after-school day programs.

Partnership and collaboration
Partnership and collaboration will be key tactics in helping Catholic schools move toward greatness. Working together with each other and other institutions, they can meet diverse learning needs and support students and families. Areas of partnership may include:

• Personnel sharing (especially in art, music and guidance)
• Tuition assistance
• Co-curricular and student support programs
• Social networking