Archdiocese of Baltimore Celebrates Catholic Schools Week; Recognizes Catholic Schools as Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service

Archbishop William E. Lori and Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Dr. Barbara McGraw Edmondson will greet students at area schools to commemorate Catholic Schools Week, a national week-long observance that begins on Sunday, January 26th. The theme “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service,” highlights the hallmarks of Catholic education.

The Archbishop and Superintendent will visit Monsignor Slade School in Glen Burnie and St. Mary’s Elementary and High School in Annapolis on Tuesday, January 28 at 7:45 a.m., 9:00, and 10:00 a.m. respectively and Mercy High School in Baltimore on Wednesday, January 29 at 9:30 a.m.

“Each year during Catholic Schools Week, the entire community celebrates the value and gift of a Catholic education and gives thanks to our supporters including families, teachers, pastors, parishioners, and the philanthropic community for their continued investment in our schools. In this age of information overload, Catholic schools aspire to foster faith, knowledge and wisdom so students become life-long learners who are articulate, creative, and critical thinkers and problem solvers of the next generation.” said Dr. Barbara McGraw Edmondson.

Catholic school students in the Archdiocese of Baltimore receive an excellent, faith-filled education that prepares them for the challenges of higher education and a competitive world.

Across all socio-economic levels, Catholic school students in the Archdiocese of Baltimore embody faith, academic excellence, and service.

• Elementary school students score in the top 40% or higher in the Nation.
• Middle school students progress to scoring in the top 1/3 in the nation in Reading and Math.
• By high school, Catholic school students score an average of 100 points higher on the SAT than the national average.
• 73% of 8th grade students go on to attend a Catholic high school
• 99% of Catholic school students graduate from high school
• 98% of Catholic school students go on to attend college
• The Class of 2013 was awarded $174 million in college scholarships.

Conducted annually since 1974, Catholic Schools Week includes national, diocesan, and school-wide activities to promote the value of Catholic education. This year marks the 40th anniversary of this annual event.

There are 48 Catholic elementary/middle schools and 20 high schools serving 26,160 students in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which consists of Baltimore city and the following counties: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard, and Washington.

To learn more about an Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic school, call 1-800-5-CATHOLIC or visit www.archbalt.org/schools.