Our Schools Embracing Our Future

Parish Diocesan Regional Independent • • • • Intensive Planning | Focus on Sustainability | New Collaborations

1. The Academy at St. Polycarp (PreK) Smyrna, DE n the Diocese of Wilmington, the face 2. Good Shepherd School (PreK-8) Perryville, MD of Catholic schools is changing. Our schools 3. Holy Angels School (PreK-8) Newark, DE I are, first and always, about teaching and learn- 4. Holy Cross School A Ministry, (PreK-8) Dover, DE ing in the light of Jesus Christ. Central to this 5. Immaculate Conception School (PreK-8) Elkton, MD mission and to our ministry is the engagement of 2009–10 6. Immaculate Heart of Mary School (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE families to participate in the experience of educa- 7. Our Lady of Fatima School (PreK-8) New Castle, DE tion, service, worship and community. 8. Ss. Peter & Paul School (PreK-8) Easton, MD Changing demographics and a commitment to Ss. Peter & Paul High School A ServiceCatholic Schools (9-12) Easton, MD keep Catholic schools of the highest quality have catholic diocese of wilmington | | annual report 9. St. Ann School (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE challenged us to analyze and plan for the future. 10. St. Anthony of Padua School (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE Parish and school communities are evaluating 11. St. Catherine of Siena School (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE programs and setting goals, using a set of quality 12. St. Christopher’s Preschool (PreK) Chester, MD benchmarks for the future. Uniform standards for 13. St. Elizabeth School (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE financial reporting are being followed. Technol- St. Elizabeth High School (9-12) Wilmington, DE ogy, science and facility planning have become 14. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Preschool (PreK) Bear, DE priorities. 15. St. School (PreK-8) Salisbury, MD A diocesan Sustainability Committee ap- 16. St. John the Beloved School (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE pointed by Bishop Malooly is working with local 17. St. Mary’s Educational Program (PreK) Hockessin, DE communities to ensure that Catholic education 18. St. Mary Magdalen School (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE will continue now and for the future. This group, in 19. St. Matthew School (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE conjunction with the Board of Catholic Schools, is 20. St. Paul School (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE actively engaging local communities to build cre- 21. St. Peter the Apostle School (PreK-8) New Castle, DE ative and responsible plans and to collaborate with 22. St. Peter Cathedral School (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE other school communities when appropriate. 23. (9-12) Wilmington, DE We have enriched professional development St. Mark’s High School 24. (9-12) Wilmington, DE for our teachers, addressing the important areas of St. Thomas More Preparatory School 25. (9-12) Magnolia, DE instruction, assessment, and student learning. New Christ the Teacher Catholic School 26. (PreK-8) Newark, DE teachers are being mentored and established teach- Corpus Christi School 27. (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE ers are accepting the challenge of satisfying rigorous Most Blessed Sacrament School 28. (PreK-8) Berlin, MD standards of skill development and evaluation. Schools are being encouraged to form Boards Catholic schools continue to serve the states of 29. Pope John Paul II School (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE We have established clusters of schools that of Delegated Responsibility to invite and develop and Maryland with educational pro- 30. (9-12) Claymont, DE are evaluating better ways of working together to lay leadership in support of their Catholic schools. grams of the highest quality. 31. The Benedictine School (Ungraded) Ridgely, MD provide Catholic education in their areas. They Some principals, pastors and school leaders have 2010–11 will be a year of opportunity and con- 32. (PreK-8) Childs, MD are developing opportunities for shared staffing, already received professional development in this tinued renewal for our schools. The challenges we 33. Nativity Preparatory School (5-8) Wilmington, DE cooperative purchasing, professional development area. face with honesty and openness are leading us to a 34. St. Edmond’s Academy (PreK-8) Wilmington, DE and marketing. Parish and school leaders partici- Throughout the diocese, we are exploring and place of strength and to the discovery of new and the mission of our catholic schools From the Bishop learning every day. Creative approaches are 35. (9-12) Wilmington, DE pate in these efforts and in thinking and planning developing new business and government partner- creative ways to serve the families and students remains clear: to educate students in the light under way to address the population shifts 36. Ursuline Academy (PreK-12) Wilmington, DE for the future. ships, as it is in everyone’s best interest to see that of our diocese. t of Jesus Christ. To that end, principals, teachers, and financial challenges that many Catholic parents and volunteers shoulder the opportu- encouraging and forming them to become good schools face. Pastors of parishes, parish coun- Diocesan Schools, 2009-2010 Diocesan Schools, 2005-2009 nities of Catholic education with joy, inviting Christian men and women who will make a cils, and diocesan and local school boards are enrollment by grade 5-year enrollment trends students to learn and grow every day. The work difference in the world. together addressing the many challenges facing of Catholic schools continues to be a collabora- We employ teachers and principals with a our schools today. While acknowledging the ■ Primary ■ Secondary ■ Total tive effort between parents and professionals commitment to Catholic education as a voca- challenges before us, we believe more than ever Diocese of Wilmington to educate leaders and community-minded tion, and a willingness to continually refresh in our Catholic schools. Catholic education is a Catholic Schools Office individuals for the future. their teaching skills. We maintain rigorous precious gift and solid foundation for the future Catherine P. Weaver, Superintendent In our parish, private and diocesan schools, curriculum standards, based on international of our students. It is a bridge to a world that is Catholic education is not just a ministry, but research. We assess student learning annually. in need of transformation and hope. 1626 N. Union Street a service to our entire community, one that Our graduation and scholarship rates are among Wilmington, DE 19806 raises the bar for all educational endeavors and the highest in the nation for any schools: public, Sincerely in our Lord, telephone 302.573.3133 enriches the quality of education in Delaware private or independent. facsimile 302.573.6945 and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Our prin- There is Good News in Catholic education www.cdow.org web cipals and teachers strive to develop a sense of in the Diocese of Wilmington. Our schools Most Reverend W. Francis Malooly service and moral integrity for each student, build on the high standards set for student Bishop of Wilmington Our Catholic Identity Excellence in Education Our Schools

Parish Diocesan Regional Independent Faith and Learning | Caring Environment | Responsible to the Community Rigorous Academics | Relevant Instruction | Meaningful Achievement • • • •

hat makes Catholic schools dif- Catholic school students are invited to develop leader- atholic schools in the Diocese of Wilmington engage students in a rigorous Diocesan and Parish Secondary Schools, ferent from the other fine schools in our ship skills and to embrace leadership through service to We are curriculum. The academic program builds upon state and national content standards 2008-09 School Year 202 W community and state? others. Our graduates demonstrate success at every level C and infuses them with Catholic morality. In addition to the required coursework SAT Testing Data 34 30 Catholic schools are unique because they are commu- with impressive acceptances to high schools and colleges, 13,433 at both the elementary and secondary levels, students are afforded opportunities that stretch 18 Claymont 95 Hockessin 52 nities of faith and learning, dedicated to spiritual growth, and through their significant accomplishments in the their mind and expand their vision as they explore the world. Secondary school students consistently dem- 6 17 students Greenville academic excellence and service. In addition to a rigorous community and the world of work. They understand that Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wilmington engage students in relevant instruc- onstrate academic strength in all areas tested 29 in program of instruction in the Catholic faith, our values by fulfilling their potential they meet their Christian re- tion. Through the interaction of product, process, and performance in instruction, students by SAT. In 2009 Catholic school students out- 48 9 35 10 scored Delaware and Maryland mean scores in 23 are infused into every school experience. sponsibility to develop and use their God-given talents to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate as they learn. They are called to think more deeply 11 33 36 495 20 all areas. In Writing, Catholic school students 7 27 22 Catholic schools are communities of learners, teach- make the world a better place. 38 and reason more critically in their learning. In science, students study about force through 16 Elsmere 13 Wilmington ers, and believers, united in caring environments in which Catholic schools possess numerous characteristics in- engineering activities that create products like bridges and buildings that can withstand scored an impressive 30 points better than 19 13 children are nurtured to become happy, productive and trinsic to their success. Values and discipline are consistent schools, simulated earthquakes. In mathematics, logical reasoning is honored as a process that en- the Delaware mean score and 19 points higher 24 successful members of our society. Our religious prin- with our students’ home environment. Site-based manage- guided by courages students to test self-generated theorems in solving equations. In world languages, than the Maryland average score. Stanton Newport 3 141 ciples and values foster a sense of respect and dignity ment frees our schools of cumbersome bureaucracy. They students engage in conversations in Spanish, French, German, Chinese and other languages 40 ■ Diocese ■ Delaware ■ Maryland that comes from seeing the image and likeness of God foster a safe and stable community of learning. The rigorous 1,202 as they dialogue with peers in their classrooms and, through technology, around the world. 95 7 in each person. curriculum emphasizes the importance of positive academic In both elementary and secondary schools, students not only seek answers to questions, but 13 Christiana It is the dedication and commitment of teachers and outcomes. Parental involvement ensures that our standards faculty also raise new ones. A Catholic education affords students the information needed to be 21 Newark New Castle t parents working together, an ambitious program of edu- and values remain consistent with our mission. and staff. part of the transformation of the world. 14 cational standards and a commitment to guide every stu- While these characteristics distinguish Catholic schools 1 dent toward accomplishment in academics, extracurricular from their public and private counterparts, the presence of activities, athletics and community service that make our each of these distinct systems affords families in Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland schools successful. a wide mosaic of excellent educational options. Public schools can be stronger because of the alternative educational choices Catholic schools provide. Catholic schools

save the taxpayers millions of dollars in annual education costs. They provide a 95 32 necessary and important option for learning in our community. 5 Elkton The value of a Catholic education cannot be underestimated. In our cities, 2 26 as well as in our suburban and rural areas, the Diocese of Wilmington provides 896 educational opportunities that teach strong moral values and ensure that our students are well prepared for success in the twenty-first century. Catholic schools proudly educate students in the light of Jesus Christ and 1 look forward to continuing that mission in service to the people of Delaware Parish and Regional Elementary Schools, and Maryland in the coming year. t 301 Spring 2009 1 TerraNova Total Score Smyrna

Elementary school students performed ex- Chestertown Dover innovation : science ceedingly well in TerraNova testing, a national 4 test administered in public and private schools. Camden25 In our ongoing effort to improve instruction, diocesan schools review curriculum In 2009 the Total Score (reflecting Reading, in each subject area on a five-year cycle. Through this process, our schools plan Language and Mathematics performance) was to implement a new science curriculum in 2010-2011. The updated curriculum between 22 and 31 points above the national 31 Frederica 12 50 emphasizes hands-on learning and aims to give prekindergarten through eighth- median score. 301 grade students one laboratory experience per week. Milford The new curriculum puts a premium on teamwork and creativity, especially in Denton laboratory projects where first-hand experiences strengthen students’ powers 113 of observation, challenge them to analyze data and give them the tools to draw Easton 1 conclusions based on facts. 8 DELAWARE Lewes Schools are implementing the new curriculum at levels consistent with their own resources. Several schools have purchased a comprehensive program called LabLearner, which includes curriculum guides, its own laboratory, testing materials Seaford Georgetown and professional development materials for teachers. Increased professional development opportunities for teachers will afford them Millsboro ongoing education in “doing” science with students. Cambridge Laurel In schools where the new curriculum has been implemented, students are re- sponding enthusiastically and we are confident that this enthusiasm will translate into even greater academic achievement. MARYLAND 50 Salisbury 90 28 15

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