leadership and catholic schools
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Leadership & Catholic Schools
Advancing Catholic Education
NCEA Secondary Dept.
Association: We bring schools together and represent them.
We provide leadership, direction, and service
But…before we begin, how well do you know Catholic Secondary Schools?
A Quiz
1.) How many Catholic secondary schools existed in the U.S. in 2011?
A.) 845
B.) 1,555
C.) 1,575
D.) 1,205
How many Catholic secondary schools were there in the U.S. in 2011?
ANSWER: 1,205
United States Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, 2011-12, NCEA, 2012
2.) How many Catholic secondary schools were in the U.S. in 2009?
A.) 1,307
B.) 1,227
C.) 1,295
D.) 1,205
How many Catholic Secondary Schools were in the U.S. in 2009?
ANSWER: 1,205
Source: United States Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, 2011-12, NCEA, 2012
Trends to Note
Between 1960 and 1970, there were
406 fewer Catholic Secondary Schools
Between 2000 and 2010, there were
16 fewer Catholic Secondary Schools
*Over the last 3 years, enrollment has declined some, but number of schools had remained
roughly the same.
Back to the Quiz
3.) One of the peak years for Catholic elementary and secondary school enrollment in the U.S. was…
A.) 1960 C. 1947
B.) 1973 D. 1920
Question #3 Answer
Catholic school enrollment was
Close to its peak in 1960, with
5,253,000 enrolled in K-12
Today, there are 2,031,455 enrolled
In K-12
Elementary
Between 1960 and 1970, there were 1,135 fewer Catholic Elementary schools
Between 2000 and 2010, there were 1,034
fewer Catholic Elementary schools
*Number of Catholic elementary schools has dropped at a greater rate than secondary
Why is that so? A Few Guesses…
Elementary Schools More Catholic
elementary schools in existence.
Harder to find exemplary administrators
Difficulty when pastors do not want the “burden” of Catholic elementary schools.
Less training available due to budget constraints
Secondary Schools Most have boards that
influence the direction of the schools.
More effort given to finding qualified administrators
Greater levels of Professional Development
*More have development offices
Now, back to our Quiz:
4.) True or False:
The national graduation rate among Catholic secondary school students is
90.5%?
TrueFalse
#4.) Answer
False
The national graduation rate among Catholic secondary school students is
99.4%
And that’s higher than…
National graduation rates at these other types of schools:
Religious (Non-Catholic): 98.1%
Non-sectarian private: 95.0%
Public: 75.5%
So, what else about Catholic Secondary Schools?
5.) In what part of the Country
are most Catholic secondary schools
found?
Regional Breakdown of Catholic Secondary Schools
New England: 7.4%Great Lakes: 20.4%Southeast: 15.8%*
Plains: 11.5%Mideast: 24.9%West: 20.0%*
* Indicates higher percentage of schools than ten years ago.
Source: Annual Statistical Report on Schools, Enrollment and Staffing, NCEA, 2012
6.) Percent of Catholic Secondary Schools with a President/Principal model:
A.) 50%
B.) 40%
C.) 55%
D.) 35%
President/Principal Model?
Average percentage in all Catholic secondary schools?
55%
Religious owned schools: 70%
Diocesan owned schools: 43%
7.) The average Catholic Secondary School Endowment?
A.) $3.7 Million
B.) $1.7 Million
C.) $850,000
D.) $200,000
Answer: Avg. Catholic Secondary School Endowment?
$3.7 Million
(The values vary greatly, however, so if you are not near that, don’t
Feel badly)Source: Dollars & Sense, NCEA, 2011
8.) Average Percentage of Catholic Secondary Schools with a FT Chief Advancement Officer?
A.) 57%
B.) 84%
C.) 64%
D.) 90%
Full-time Chief Advancement Officer?
64%
Source: Dollar & Sense, NCEA, 2011
9.) % of operating income that comes from Advancement Programs?
A.) 15%
B.) 25%
C.) 13%
D.) 7%
% Operating income from Advancement?
On average, 7% of operating income in Catholic secondary schools comes from
advancement programs
Dollars & Sense, NCEA, 2011
10.) Top priority of Advancement programs in Cath. Secondary Schools?
A.) Marketing
B.) The Annual Fund
C.) Alumni/ae Relations
D.) The Annual Candy Bar Sale
Top Priority among advancement activities?
The Annual Fund
Dollars & Sense, NCEA, 2011
11.) And Finally, what percentage of CS Alumni contribute to Annual Funds?
A. 55%
B.) 30%
D.) 74%
E.) 14%
Alumni and Annual Funds
On average, just 14% of alumni contribute
to Catholic secondary school
annual funds.
*This does not mean they do not contribute in other ways however.
Source: Dollars & Sense, NCEA, 2011
Conclusions
When it comes to raising funds, Catholic secondary schools have a lot of room for growth
We want our alumni and friends to have positive thoughts about our schools
The time to invest in the future of Catholic secondary education is NOW.
About Catholic Schools
It used to be that….
Those who went to Catholic schools mostly knew others who went to Catholic schools.
Pre-1950’s and 60’s, they had good experiences in Catholic schools.
Catholic meant cultural experience as much as it was about religion.
With greater communication and integration of vast numbers of immigrants,
Those who grew up Catholic began to include others in their circles, including non-Catholics.
This led to greater questioning on religion and Church authority.
Catholic schools themselves are more pluralistic – but is the image society projects and accurate one?
What many in society might think about Catholic education in general
Secular views of Catholic Schools come from two main sources
Stories from those who attended Catholic schools
(often exaggerated)
And, the Media
Movies
Books
Cartoons
Plays
Many people who do not know Catholic schools well assume that they all…
All have strict nunsHave repressed and unhappy studentsHave students who are looking for ways
to break the strict rulesHave some wacko teachersTeach religion in a forced mannerAre educationally backward
So what’s the Reality?
Most Catholic schools that exist today must project an image of excellence to the community
Why is it that some Catholic schools are thriving?
While some others, in very much the same circumstances are not?
We look to Leadership
What research tells us about all schools and leaders
A school’s leader is the # 1 factor in overall school success Hallinger and Heck, 2002; Louis,
Dretzke, and Wahlstrom, 2010; Tschannen-moran & Gareis, 2004)
School leadership is the second most influential factor in student achievement
(second only to actual instruction)
Most school leaders
Choose staff Evaluate staff Implement Long-
term plans (or not) Are the public face of
the school Are instrumental in
highlighting school values and mission.
Just a thought…
An organization is like a bicycle. When
it is moving forward it is stable.
When it is static it tends to fall. Anonymous
Good Leadership Traits for Catholic School Administrators
Mission Oriented. The leader knows why the school exists and supports that in word and action. It is central to everything the staff and students do.
Who wants to send their child to a school that does not know what it is about?
Catholic Schools
Catholic schools support the work of the Church, which is the “bride of Christ on earth.”
Catholic schools with a strong sense of mission show that through visible and non-visible symbols throughout the school.
The work of Catholic school personnel is a ministry.
Strong School Identity
What is the Catholic school known for?-A classical curriculum?-A diverse student body?-Academic superiority?-or something less than these?
*All schools need an identity that comes to define them.
Communications
Regular communication between administration and staff within the school
-Friday Notes for the following week
-A school calendar posted in a conspicuous place
-An athletic calendar
-A schedule of regular meetings
Communications with Parents
A weekly newsletter (preferably via e-mail)
Phone calls from the school’s administration.
A policy for staff to return calls within a day (or so).
A school magazine highlighting great things in the school
Communications with Students
A school newspaper which allows outstanding students to shine and
celebrates achievements of all students.Student magazine which encourage
writing skills and thoughts.The school’s yearbook. A picture is
worth a thousand words.
Never underestimate the power of …
Good Communication in a school
Leading by including others…
Faculty committeesParent BoardsDepartment chairsAssistant principals and other
administrators
Remember…
Nothing will turn off a school community
More than a school leader who thinks he or she
Knows it all and fails to ask, listen,
and converse.
Public Relations
Your school can only become something great if you regard it that way.
Use PR to highlight faculty and staff accomplishments – Killing two birds with one stone in that the teacher is thrilled and the school looks great.
Public Relations
Reach out in a positive manner to the entire school community.
-Students
-Alumni
-Parents
-Local business and neighbors
-Staff
-Local Church officials
Students
Should be proud of their schoolShould be happy in their schoolShould feel wanted and included in their
schoolShould be the center of what the school
is all about.Should want to come back to the school
later.
Alumni
Should feel welcome in their school.Should be encouraged to have alumni
events at the school or on the propertyShould be aware of accomplishments
that are occurring within the schoolShould be proud to be graduates of the
school and should be treated well by the school.
Good “PR” Allows for Involvement
By allowing various school-related groups to develop strong commitments to the
school the leader builds a sense of ownership and all of those involved
become stakeholders.
Schools like that don’t usually close.
Finally, Public Relations…
Can be the building blocks of good Advancement and Development programs.
Planning Well
Assessing needs and knowing where the school is headed is crucial to
establishing excellence.
Planning well allows schools to be proactive instead of reactive.
Planning Involves
Involving stakeholdersIdentifying strengths and weaknessesWorking together to establish a viable
plan that will lead the school toward improvement.
Evaluating how well the plan is working and adjusting it as necessary.
Setting Policy
Comes from planningGives clarity to those involved in the daily
“grind.”Should be in best interests of all.
Policy is one way of putting plans
into action.
Appraising your school
Ask…
What is the atmosphere like?
Who is happy and who may not be?
Are the students and their needs at the center of everything the school is about?
Leader Outlook
Half Full?
Half Empty?