The New School that Works! The New School that Works!
Dear Friends,
In 2012, San Juan Diego Catholic High School (SJDCHS) celebrated ten years of providing outstanding Catholic college preparatory education. As we embark upon our next decade of service, we are pleased to launch an $11 million capital campaign effort that will result in new facilities and an enhanced learning environment for our students.
Since its inception in 2002, SJDCHS has created exciting opportunities for Austin students with the greatest financial and educational needs. Below are a few facts on our school and highlights of our accomplishments over the years:
• SJDCHS is the only school of its kind in Texas—a Diocesan, Catholic, college preparatory high school with a Corporate Internship Program (CIP). 100% of students participate in CIP, which provides students with four years of professional experience and future career possibilities. • SJDCHS has opened an 8th grade academy to assimilate students in the rigors of the college preparatory curriculum. • 100% of students receive college acceptances. • 65% of the graduating class of 2013 will be first generation college graduates and the 26 students from the class were offered more than $554,000 in college scholarships. • 63% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. • 82% of students are Hispanic and 60% of the student body comes from public schools. • SJDCHS raises over $700,000 annually to continue serving all of those who would otherwise not have access to this extraordinary high school program.
We are proud that we have been able to further our mission of providing highly motivated students the opportunity to earn a Catholic, college preparatory education enriched by participation in a corporate internship program. With the continued support of the philanthropic community, we can offer additional opportunities to deserving students in the years to come.
The following pages provide more details on our capital campaign and this exciting new phase of the school’s growth and development. Please partner with us in achieving our vision for the future.
Sincerely,
Pamela S. Jupe Principal The New School that Works!
Capital Campaign Committee
Bishop Joe Vásquez Honorary Chair David Applewhite Dutch Kellerman* Jean Bondy Steve Levatino Victor Castillo* Dr. Judy Loredo Msgr. Tom Frank* Br. William Nick, CSC* John Glode* Michele Strain* Mel Greene* Dr. Ned Vanders* Dennis Kearns
* 2013-2014 Member of the Advisory Board of Directors
The San Juan Diego Catholic High School Class of 2013. The New School that Works!
Background
Shortly after arriving in Austin in June 2000, Bishop Gregory Aymond sought to advance the Church’s prophetic mission by increasing the number of Catholic school opportunities in Central Texas. Citing the Church’s “preferential option for the poor,” he sought to empower individuals and transform communities through Catholic schools which create opportunities for young people with the greatest need. San Juan Diego Catholic High School was founded in 2002 replicating the innovative Corporate Internship Program of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago, Illinois.
As part of the Corporate Internship Program at San Juan Diego Catholic High School, all students (9th-12th grades) gain on-the-job experience at entry-level positions, while helping to cover the cost of the quality, Catholic, college-preparatory education they enjoy. The students learn from the best companies in Austin, including Seton Healthcare Family, Dell Inc., St. Edward’s University and a number of law firms, non-profit organizations, insurance offices, and financial institutions. Due to the school’s unique Corporate Internship Program and academic excellence, San Juan Diego Catholic High School is known as “The School That Works!”
San Juan Diego Catholic High School promises to provide students with every opportunity to excel. The school’s mission is to make quality, Catholic, college-preparatory education available to students who otherwise might not have access. This is accomplished through the school’s rigorous academic program. San Juan Diego Catholic High School students become responsible, capable and caring young leaders.
Since its inception in 2002, San Juan Diego Catholic High School has graduated over 250 individuals well-prepared for the rigors of postsecondary studies and subsequent career opportunities. Graduates have continued their education at universities such as The University of Notre Dame, The University of Texas at Austin and Cornell University. Graduates have begun their careers as small business owners, technical writers, accountants, and teachers at organizations like Texas Instruments, Carr Riggs & Ingram and even San Juan Diego Catholic High School. The New School that Works!
Campaign Rationale
San Juan Diego Catholic High School is currently located on property owned by the Diocese and shared with San José Catholic Church. It is housed in a two-story 1950’s elementary school building, four temporary mobile buildings and a small building known as the “Casita.” There is no gymnasium and students gather for lunch, pep rallies and other student activities in the San José Parish Hall when available.
In December of 2009, the school received full accreditation by the Texas Catholic Conference Ac- creditation Commission; however, it was recommended to address the current state of inadequate facilities in the area of science, fine arts, Student seeks additional help in Environmental Science. physical education and food service. The accreditation team reported, “Although the facilities are clean and well-maintained, a long range plan must be developed to address the deficiencies.”
With this in mind, the Board has launched an $11 million campaign for new construction. The proposed new construction is described on the following pages. In addition to providing students with a better learning environment, the increased access and projected enrollment growth made possible through these improvements will generate more revenue from corporate partners. San Juan Diego Catholic High School currently maintains a balanced budget.
Guitar Club rehearsing in the San Jose Parish Hall. The New School that Works!
Campaign Components
Math & Science Center
Students conduct an experiment in Biology. San Juan Diego Catholic High School has many lab supplies to work with but simply no facilities in which to use them. Currently, the facility does not provide dedicated lab space within classrooms. The time taken to perform even simple activities is longer than necessary since there is no setting at the school in which students can receive instruction near a prepared lab.
Texas requires that 40% of science instructional time be spent performing laboratory experiments; therefore, the construction of science labs is a top priority. The only way to bring more stimulation into the science classroom is through doing, and students are currently limited in their access to creating and building an understanding of scientific discovery with their own hands and minds. Following procedures and working in a formal lab setting are necessary preparatory experiences for college-bound students.
The new facilities will house a math and science center allowing for hands-on learning. A state-of-the-art facility equates to greater time efficiency in class and opens the doors for more classroom and computer based applications. This will allow students of different learning styles to connect information with reactions, specimens, and processes that exist in their world. Students will be more prepared to translate their academics into real-life settings with enhanced math and lab facilities. The New School that Works!
Campaign Components
Fine Arts Center
San Juan Diego Catholic High School currently offers after-school clubs for art, drama, woodworking, choir, guitar, and drumline as well as two courses of Art I for seniors. Art classes are limited in projects because of their space. After school clubs are held in various classrooms as space allows. Drum, choir and guitar club meet in classrooms afterschool. Drama Club conducts all rehearsals and performances in the San José Catholic Church Parish Hall. This hall does not have optimal acoustics, seating, or lighting, and lacks a stage.
Students donate many art projects to the school to help with fundraising efforts. Students gain a sense of accomplishment and much pride through expressing themselves in art. New facilities will equip the art department with space to adequately address the curriculum. New facilities will include classroom space that will serve as performance, rehearsal and meeting space
Cast and Crew of 2013’s “The Glass Menagerie. The New School that Works!
Campaign Components
Community Education & Activity Center
As weather permits, Physical Education and conditioning are held on the unlevel parking lot. Students use the parking lot for weightlifting, stretching and other conditioning activities. Athletic teams are without a home-court and are shuttled to various practice and game facilities. Additionally, facility rentals account for nearly two-thirds of the athletic budget.
Great strides have been made with the afterschool programming of San Juan Diego Catholic High School thanks to the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. Through the Texas Education Agency, San Juan Diego Catholic High School is providing an array of enrichment activities to complement academics. New facilities will continue to enhance the afterschool offerings by providing a physical location for these programs.
The proposed facility will serve as a gathering space for the school in such events as games, assemblies, parent meetings and student activities. Facilities will also be available to the San José Parish for events, religious education and dinners. A new facility will allow teams to truly have a home court advantage. With the addition of an education & activity center, a gym and practice field will provide a convenient, on-site and efficient sports area. A sense of community will be built for the school and surrounding neighborhood.
Students gather for A Legacy of Giving presentation from Gilbert Tuhabonye- collegiate athlete, philanthropist, and genocide survivor. The New School that Works!
Architectural Rendering The New School that Works!
Naming Opportunities
School Building $3,500,000
Community Education & Activity Center $2,000,000
Math & Science Center $750,000
Playing Field $500,000
Lobby/Reception Area $500,000
Fine Arts Center $250,000
Administrative Office $250,000
Workout Room $150,000
Elevator $150,000
Girls’ Locker Room $100,000
Boys’ Locker Room $100,000
Classroom (4) $100,000
Parking Lot $100,000
Concession Stand $50,000
Stairway (2) $50,000 Wall of Honor $49,999 - $25,000 $24,999 - $10,000 $9,999 - $1,000 The New School that Works!
The Meaning Behind the Rose
The Miracle of San Juan Diego Red roses in winter! Juan Diego received the miracle of love and hope from Our Lady of Guadalupe in the form of vibrant red roses growing in the cold and rocky Mexican soil during the 16th century. The Virgin also bestowed her blessings on Juan Diego through her radiant image which appeared on his tilma, or tunic. The roses and the blessed tilma became symbols of the faith that Juan Diego was able to share with the disbelieving Bishop of Mexico. Through her image and gift of roses, the Bishop understood that the Virgin had appeared with the message to build a church in her honor on the hill of Tepayac. Mirroring the Bishop of Mexico’s call to Juan Diego to build a church in 1531, Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond instituted San Juan Diego Catholic High School in Austin, Texas in 2002 just weeks after Pope John Paul II canonized Juan Diego as a saint. San Juan Diego Catholic High School is the fruit of love and hope; the students are our roses, and their success is the blossoming of our faith in our mission. San Juan Diego Catholic High School provides highly motivated students the opportunity to earn a Catholic, college preparatory education enriched by participation in a corporate internship program.
San Juan Diego Catholic High School 800 Herndon Lane Austin, Texas 78704
Ashley Moyer Director of Advancement 512-804-1935 extension 316 [email protected] www.sjdchs.org