September 1, 2014

Dear Friends of Catholic Schools,

It is always with great excitement that we open the doors to another school year. It is a time

when all things are made new. What remains the same is our mission. �e work of Catholic

schools is ultimately a matter of maintaining the Church’s mission of building Christ’s Kingdom

of justice, love and peace, while continuing relevant, real-world instructional excellence in

meeting the needs of a 21st-century world that is ever-changing. Catholic schools in San Diego

have always embraced the challenge.

In the summer of 2013, Bishop Flores commissioned a special Strategic Vision Committee to

study the organizational structures, policies and �nancial stability of our Catholic elementary

schools. �e committee partnered with the University of San Diego to provide a thorough

study of the current state of the schools within our diocese. Surveys and interviews with various

stakeholders, including many of you, ensured an opportunity for your voice to be heard, for

your experiences to make a di�erence, and for your perspectives to be a part of the plan to

strengthen our schools. �ank you to all who participated.

�e �ndings and recommendations of this study are provided in this supplemental insert to

�e Southern Cross. While the value added to Catholic education should never change, I invite

you to join me in celebrating a newly articulated roadmap to success vetted by you, the People

of Christ in San Diego. May God bless our children in mind, body and spiritual growth. I look forward to continuing

our work together in building a new vision for strengthening our Catholic schools in the

Diocese of San Diego.

In Mission,

John GalvanDirector, Diocesan O�ce for Schools

DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO

Office of Schools

We are grateful for the leadership of our faithfully departed Bishop Cirilo Flores and his commitment to strengthening Catholic schools in the Diocese of San Diego.

John Galvan

STRATEGIC VISION STATEMENT

COMMISSIONED BY BISHOP CIRILO FLORES

Evangelizing children and their families is one of the most vital ministries of our Church. Catholic schools in the United States have performed this function with excellence for over a century. The role our Catholic schools play in educating and forming the faith of our children continues to be valuable. Children in our Church today will fill the most important roles in leadership and ministry tomorrow as the Church continues its outreach to the world. For these reasons, Catholic schools must be places where children are nurtured in all aspects of mind, body and spiritual growth. Our Catholic schools must be accessible to children of all families no matter their race, culture or economic condition. To that end, and embracing the Church’s “preferential option for the poor”, all Catholics and Parishes, regardless of whether a local Parish has a school, are responsible for the health and growth of this important ministry of our Church.

What is Happening IN OURCatholic Schools?Faced with declining enrollment and the closure of Catholic schools throughout the Diocese, Bishop Cirilo Flores commissioned the Strategic Vision Committee for Catholic Elementary Schools in the summer of 2013. The Committee was tasked with developing a better understanding of the growing issues and challenges faced by local Catholic schools, including the steady decline of school enrollment and the closure of three local Catholic K-8 schools. The nine month study centered on providing a voice to Diocesan stakeholders and focused on reviewing the literature on national trends in Catholic schools. Findings of the study are illustrated on the following pages.

RESEARCH INCLUDED a review of literature on Catholic schools and conducting online surveys and interviews with over 2,000 stakeholders

PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED 1,500+ parents/grandparents/patrons; 57% of pastors; 88% of principals; and 30% teachers

The overarching theme is the lack of a cohesive collective of Catholic schools working in collaboration to educate children in our Diocese.

PURPOSE OF STUDY • Understand national trends in

Catholic school education• Understand the current state of

Catholic schools in the Diocese• Understanding of supports and

challenges to Catholic schools• Understand future sustainability

needs and changes

Diocese of San Diego

STRENGTHENING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO

COMMUNICATE this research process to all stakeholders

COMPETITION BETWEEN SCHOOLSexceeds the collaboration between schools

Solidify the MISSION AND VISION for the future of Catholic schools

QUALITYLEADERSHIP

is integral tothe success of

individualschools and the

school system

LIMITED PARTNERSHIPbetween diocesan schools andthe University of San Diego

LACK OF DIOCESAN-WIDEschool processes, systems, programs and protocols

DECLINING ENROLLMENTis a major challenge

based on a series of socioeconomic factors

PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE the value of teachers, admimistrators, pastors and volunteers

INCREASE PROGRAM OFFERINGS for students and families

STRUGGLES WITHFINANCIAL STABILITYnegatively impactsindividual schoolshealth and success

Provide effective PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for teachers and administrators

CONTINUE TO RESEARCH, collect data, and make evidence-

based decisions

BUILD STRONG PARTNERSHIPS with BOTH

Catholic universities

in San Diego

SUPPORT TEACHERS with a salary

schedule and reduced tuition rates for their kids

Develop a diocese-wide mandatory FINANCIALSUPPORT system for schools

Effectively address schools in LOW RESOURCE AREAS that are near closure

Implement a diocese-wide MARKETING CAMPAIGN

for Catholic education

Centralize suppliesand resources to

CUT OPERATING COSTS

ADDRESSTUITIONISSUES

by settingdiocese-wideprotocols for

rates/increases

Families seek a school ENVIRONMENT OF HIGH

QUALITY ACADEMICS infused in the faith

FINDINGS RECOMMENDATIONS

Limited professional DEVELOPMENT ANDCOLLABORATION for teachers and administrators

• Develop a FUNDING FOUNDATION to financially support schools and families in need• CREATE A CENTER in the foundation to provide development and support to schools• REORGANIZE SCHOOL GOVERNANCE from a parochial system to networks of schools• Make SIGNIFICANT CHANGES to the ROLE and AUTHORITY of the Office for Schools

COMMUNICATE this research process to all stakeholders

COMPETITION BETWEEN SCHOOLSexceeds the collaboration between schools

Solidify the MISSION AND VISION for the future of Catholic schools

QUALITYLEADERSHIP

is integral tothe success of

individualschools and the

school system

LIMITED PARTNERSHIPbetween diocesan schools andthe University of San Diego

LACK OF DIOCESAN-WIDEschool processes, systems, programs and protocols

DECLINING ENROLLMENTis a major challenge

based on a series of socioeconomic factors

PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE the value of teachers, admimistrators, pastors and volunteers

INCREASE PROGRAM OFFERINGS for students and families

STRUGGLES WITHFINANCIAL STABILITYnegatively impactsindividual schoolshealth and success

Provide effective PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for teachers and administrators

CONTINUE TO RESEARCH, collect data, and make evidence-

based decisions

BUILD STRONG PARTNERSHIPS with BOTH

Catholic universities

in San Diego

SUPPORT TEACHERS with a salary

schedule and reduced tuition rates for their kids

Develop a diocese-wide mandatory FINANCIALSUPPORT system for schools

Effectively address schools in LOW RESOURCE AREAS that are near closure

Implement a diocese-wide MARKETING CAMPAIGN

for Catholic education

Centralize suppliesand resources to

CUT OPERATING COSTS

ADDRESSTUITIONISSUES

by settingdiocese-wideprotocols for

rates/increases

Families seek a school ENVIRONMENT OF HIGH

QUALITY ACADEMICS infused in the faith

FINDINGS RECOMMENDATIONS

Limited professional DEVELOPMENT ANDCOLLABORATION for teachers and administrators

• Develop a FUNDING FOUNDATION to financially support schools and families in need• CREATE A CENTER in the foundation to provide development and support to schools• REORGANIZE SCHOOL GOVERNANCE from a parochial system to networks of schools• Make SIGNIFICANT CHANGES to the ROLE and AUTHORITY of the Office for Schools

DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO

About the Research: The study was made possible thanks to the generosity of Terry and Barbara Caster. The research was lead by Research Associate Dr. John J. Franey and conducted by the Center for Education Policy and Law (CEPAL), a research entity operating under the aus-pices of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences and the School of Law at the University of San Diego. CEPAL’s mission is to foster better linkage between educational research, policymaking, and practice. To this end, CEPAL undertakes empirical and legal research on educational policy issues, enhances communication between education leaders and state-level policymakers, and facilitates understanding among USD law students and education graduate students about the policymaking process through courses, internships, and research op-portunities. Additional information about CEPAL is available at www.sandiego.edu/cepal.

93%

Who Had What to Say?

Satisfied with overallCatholic school experience

PARENTS WITH CHILDRENCURRENTLY ATTENDING

OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

PARENTS WITH CHILDRENWHO USED TO ATTEND

OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

86%

Were happy with theCatholic school experience 50%

Child attends parishreligious ed programs 43%

Open to the possibility of returning 26%

Satisfied with the qualityof the Catholic teachings 84%

Effectively developingmy child’s Catholic identity 83%

Satisfied with the qualityof the academics

Average AnnualCost per Pupil for

K-8 Schools

81%

93%$5,008

Average K-8’s Operational Cost Increase per Pupil

Over the Last Decade

52%Million Average

Operational Cost perK-8 School

K-8’s that Experienceda Decline in Enrollment

Over the Last Decade

$1.3 72%

COST OF ATTENDANCE

STAKEHOLDERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR RESEARCHCITED A REASON NOT TO SEND KIDS TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL IS...

Diocese of San Diego

The following displays were developed from our survey responses. The size of word represents the response frequency. For example, larger words mean higher response from participants.

A Road Map to Success

What ShouldNEVER CHANGE

about Catholic schools in our Diocese

Reasons Why ParentsSEND THEIR KIDSto Catholic schools in our Diocese

STRENGTHENING

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN SAN DIEGO

Progress Report based on Recommendations

What we are doing...

What's in progress...

Communicate this entire research process to all stakeholders

An executive summary is made available at www.diocese-sdiego.org/usdresearch and has been distributed

to our stakeholders via this issue of The Southern Cross newspaper.

Solidify the mission and vision for the future of Catholic schools

Please see our the strategic vision statement on page two.

Effectively address schools in low-resource areas that are on t

he precipice of closure

and provide effective professional development to teachers and administrators

The diocese has partnered with the CSJ Educational Network, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, to offer a

peer leadership program to six of our schools in need. The cohort based program will offer support necessary to design and

implement marketing and development strategies to enhance fundraising capabilities.

Build strong partnerships with both Catholic universities in San Diego

The Office for Schools is collaborating with USD’s School of Education and Leadership Sciences to support one of our

elementary schools in need and exploring ways to work with John Paul the Great Catholic University.

Centralize supplies and resources to cut operating costs

The diocesan Offices of Schools, Finance, and Human Resources have established a working group to assist our schools in

need with budget constraints.

Develop a Diocese-wide mandatory financial support system for Catholic schools

The diocese currently provides $400,000 to support schools in need through our Annual Catholic Appeal and is exploring

ways to increase the level of support.

Develop a funding foundation to financially support schools

and families in need

The diocese has created a working group to create the San Diego Catholic Education Foundation.

Implement a Diocese-wide marketing campaign for Catholic education

The Office for Schools is developing a diocesan marketing commission comprised of marketing

professionals and educators to design a plan.

Reorganize the governance of schools from a parochial system to networks of schools

The Office for Schools is developing a diocesan governance commission comprised of educators and industry

experts to explore structures/models for governance.

Make significant changes to the role of the Office for Schools

The new director for the Office for Schools has embarked on a diocesan-wide listening tour,

meeting with all stakeholders to gain more valuable insights. If you feel your voice has not been

heard, please contact him by email at jgalvan@diocese-sdiego.org.

LEARN MOREVisit our website at www.diocese-sdiego.org/usdresearch to download a copy of the

executive summary.

SUPPORT CATHOLIC EDUCATIONInvesting in Catholic education is vital to the future of our

Church. If you would like to support our mission go to www.diocese-sdiego.org/bishopfloresfund or contact Damian J. Esparza, Director, Office for Development at

858-490-8294 or desparza@diocese-sdiego.org