Catholic Schools Report by Region

Eaton, Clinton and Ingham counties
This region has the largest number of schools in the diocese and served 3,235 students in the 2007-08 school year. Over the last five years, the region has dedicated resources toward the development of two school studies to plan for the viability of Catholic schools and ensure they are accessible, available and affordable to all families. At this time, these plans are still in the launching phase.

During its planning phase, the region determined that it requires a region-wide vision to include collaboration among  schools and throughout the region to increase purchasing power; curriculum and training prowess, as well as advancements in other areas; addressing the needs of all school sites within the region; and requiring the participation of all schools and parishes in the vision.

The challenge faced by this region, and all regions, will be developing and implementing school viability plans is to ensure that all elements of the plan are in harmony with the diocesan vision of Catholic schools.

Genesee and Shiawassee counties
Genesee County Catholic Schools (GCCS) conducted an internal study over the last two years to determine the viability of each school within its region. The study revealed the following:

Holy Family, Grand Blanc, will be viable for two classes per grade for the next five years; St. John, Fenton, is viable for the foreseeable future; St. Robert, Flushing, is viable for at least one class per grade for the next five years; St. John Vianney, Flint, is stable for the next five years; St. Pius X, Flint, is fine for five years and uncertain after that time period; St. Mary, Mt. Morris, has a financially unstable future within a blighted area; Holy Rosary, Flint, viability is questionable due to its low enrollment, finances and the state of its buildings; Holy Redeemer, Burton, is being reviewed with optimism because the school can grow in the next five years; DuKette School, Flint, has closed and the students have been invited to attend St. John Vianney School, Flint, or another parish school; St. Paul School, Owosso, is the only Catholic school in Shiawassee County. The parishes of the county must work toward the success and continuation of the school by assisting families with tuition subsidy and any other appropriate means to make Catholic schools available, accessible and affordable in this county.

Other issues that that must be addressed by GCCS to assist in the improvement of schools in the region include a freer exchange and better communication among elementary schools and Fr. Luke M. Powers Catholic High School, Flint; improving the Genesee County Catholic Schools Web site and links; collecting potential enrollment numbers for children ages 1-5; and continuing to search for ways to fund the regional coordinator position so this plan may be implemented. This region educated more than 2,800 students last year.

Given the history of St. Mary School, Swartz Creek, and St. Pius X School, Flint, a nurturing relationship is encouraged to assist in St. Pius X School becoming an area school. This configuration could also include Holy Redeemer School, Burton.

Jackson
The Jackson region’s Catholic schools educated 1,590 students in 2008. In 2004-05, this region conducted a regional school study to collect data and present recommendations from each school in order to determine the viability of the schools and plan for their future. During the time of the study, the schools were in a strong and vibrant period, and they continue to be so. The diocese affirms and encourages the Jackson Area Catholic School Consortium (JACSC) to maintain its work through the recommendations set forth in its plan:

1. Foster Catholic identity in all Jackson-area Catholic schools.

2. Establish JACSC to promote unity and support among area schools and all regional parishes by developing an education agreement.

3. Secure and enhance support from the bishop and local pastors for all Jackson-area Catholic schools.

4. Establish a regional coordinator position for the JACSC responsible to the principals and pastors for implementation of the school study recommendations.

5. Create regional strategic plans for development and marketing to ensure financial support and growth in Catholic school education, which would include a model policy of financial support from all parishes and a model policy for tuition and subsidy at all elementary schools.

6. Develop a standardized financial reporting system that will provide consistency of information throughout all educational programs in the consortium.

7. Establish model salary, benefits and professional development for employees while ensuring that JACSC meet state requirements regarding days/hours of instruction and teacher certification and qualification.

8. Analyze and develop programs for special needs, gifted and talented, and advanced students at all levels. Enhance programs in science, mathematics, performing arts, music, technology, foreign language, journalism and extracurricular activities at all levels. Expand counseling services in all K-8 schools.

9. Implement needed facility upgrades at the space used by Jackson Catholic Middle School.

Lenawee
Sacred Heart School, Hudson, with 126 students in the 2007-08 school year, is the only parish school in the region. This school will remain available, accessible and affordable for those who choose to attend. In addition, efforts will be renewed to establish relationships with the parishes in the region and with St. Joseph Academy, Adrian, a school owned and operated by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, so that this school will also be available, affordable and accessible to those who choose to attend. There are no plans for school closures.

The superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Lansing will convene appropriate parties in Lenawee County to develop a cooperative effort for education in this area.

Livingston
The Livingston region was home to 1,099 students during the last school year. Throughout the school assessments, the region concurred that it needed to develop a school study to ensure that student, teacher and all stakeholder needs are met. Components of the plan will include networking among principals, as well as sharing of resources and marketing efforts. The Catholic schools within the region hope to become regionalized and financed accordingly. The diocesan superintendent of schools will conduct an evaluation of Holy Spirit School, Hamburg, to determine the viability of the school. The results of this evaluation will be forwarded to the implementation commission no later than April 1, 2009. The future of the school will be determined at that time.

Washtenaw
There were 1,230 students in Catholic schools in the Washtenaw region last year. Like other regions within the diocese, Washtenaw must move toward regionalization of schools. No schools are slated to close.