1. Leadership & Catholic
Schools
Advancing Catholic Education

2. NCEA Secondary Dept.
 Association: We
bring schools
together and
represent them.
 We provide
leadership,
direction, and
service

3. But…before we begin, how well
do you know Catholic Secondary
Schools?
A Quiz

4. 1.) How many Catholic secondary
schools existed in the U.S. in 2011?
A.) 845
B.) 1,555
C.) 1,575
D.) 1,205

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Why is that so? A Few Guesses…
Elementary Schools Secondary Schools
 More Catholic  Most have boards that
elementary schools in influence the direction of
existence. the schools.
 Harder to find exemplary  More effort given to
administrators finding qualified
 Difficulty when pastors administrators
do not want the “burden”  Greater levels of
of Catholic elementary Professional
schools. Development
 Less training available  *More have
due to budget development offices
constraints

13. Now, back to our Quiz:
4.) True or False:
The national graduation rate among
Catholic secondary school students is
90.5%?
True
False

14. #4.) Answer
False
The national graduation rate among
Catholic secondary school students is
99.4%
And that’s higher than…

15. National graduation rates at these
other types of schools:
 Religious (Non-Catholic): 98.1%
 Non-sectarian private: 95.0%
 Public: 75.5%

16. So, what else about Catholic
Secondary Schools?
5.) In what part of the
Country
are most Catholic
secondary schools
found?

17. 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

18. 6.) Percent of Catholic Secondary Schools
with a President/Principal model:
A.) 50%
B.) 40%
C.) 55%
D.) 35%

19. President/Principal Model?
Average percentage in all Catholic
secondary schools?
55%
Religious owned schools: 70%
Diocesan owned schools: 43%

20. 7.) The average Catholic Secondary
School Endowment?
A.) $3.7 Million
B.) $1.7 Million
C.) $850,000
D.) $200,000

21. 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

22. 8.) Average Percentage of Catholic Secondary
Schools with a FT Chief Advancement Officer?
A.) 57%
B.) 84%
C.) 64%
D.) 90%

23. Full-time Chief Advancement
Officer?
64%
Source: Dollar & Sense, NCEA, 2011

24. 9.) % of operating income that comes from
Advancement Programs?
A.) 15%
B.) 25%
C.) 13%
D.) 7%

25. % Operating income from
Advancement?
On average, 7% of operating income in
Catholic secondary schools comes from
advancement programs
Dollars & Sense, NCEA, 2011

26. 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

27. Top Priority among advancement
activities?
The Annual Fund
Dollars & Sense, NCEA, 2011

28. 11.) And Finally, what percentage of CS
Alumni contribute to Annual Funds?
A. 55%
B.) 30%
D.) 74%
E.) 14%

29. 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

30. 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.

31. About Catholic Schools

32. 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.

33. 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?

34. What many in society might think
about Catholic education in general

35. Secular views of Catholic Schools
come from two main sources
 Stories from those
who attended
Catholic schools
(often exaggerated)

36. And, the Media
 Movies
 Books
 Cartoons
 Plays

37. Many people who do not know Catholic
schools well assume that they all…
 Allhave strict nuns
 Have repressed and unhappy students
 Have students who are looking for ways
to break the strict rules
 Have some wacko teachers
 Teach religion in a forced manner
 Are educationally backward

38. So what’s the Reality?
Most Catholic schools that exist
today must project an image of
excellence to the community

39. Why is it that some Catholic
schools are thriving?
While some others, in very much
the same circumstances are not?

40. We look to Leadership

41. 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)

42. 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.

43. 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

44. 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?

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. Communications
 Regularcommunication 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

48. 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

49. 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.

50. Never underestimate the
power of …
Good Communication in a
school

51. Leading by including others…
Facultycommittees
Parent Boards
Department chairs
Assistant principals and other
administrators

52. 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.

53. Public Relations
Your school can only become something
great if you regard it that way.
 UsePR to highlight faculty and staff
accomplishments – Killing two birds with
one stone in that the teacher is thrilled
and the school looks great.

54. Public Relations
 Reach out in a positive manner to the
entire school community.
-Students
-Alumni
-Parents
-Local business and neighbors
-Staff
-Local Church officials

55. Students
 Should be proud of their school
 Should be happy in their school
 Should feel wanted and included in their
school
 Should be the center of what the school
is all about.
 Should want to come back to the school
later.

56. Alumni
 Should feel welcome in their school.
 Should be encouraged to have alumni
events at the school or on the property
 Should be aware of accomplishments
that are occurring within the school
 Should be proud to be graduates of the
school and should be treated well by the
school.

57. 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.

58. Finally, Public Relations…
Can be the building blocks of
good Advancement and
Development programs.

59. Planning Well
 Assessingneeds and knowing where the
school is headed is crucial to
establishing excellence.
 Planning well allows schools to be
proactive instead of reactive.

60. Planning Involves
 Involving stakeholders
 Identifying strengths and weaknesses
 Working 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.

61. Setting Policy
 Comes from planning
 Gives clarity to those involved in the
daily “grind.”
 Should be in best interests of all.
Policy is one way of putting plans
into action.

62. 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?

63. Leader Outlook
Half Full?
Half Empty?