Leadership and Catholic Schools

Leadership & Catholic Schools

Advancing Catholic Education

NCEA Secondary Dept.

Association: We bring schools together and represent them.

We provide leadership, direction, and service

But…before we begin, how well do you know Catholic Secondary Schools?

A Quiz

1.) How many Catholic secondary schools existed in the U.S. in 2011?

A.) 845

B.) 1,555

C.) 1,575

D.) 1,205

How many Catholic secondary schools were there in the U.S. in 2011?

ANSWER: 1,205

United States Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, 2011-12, NCEA, 2012

2.) How many Catholic secondary schools were in the U.S. in 2009?

A.) 1,307

B.) 1,227

C.) 1,295

D.) 1,205

How many Catholic Secondary Schools were in the U.S. in 2009?

ANSWER: 1,205

Source: United States Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, 2011-12, NCEA, 2012

Trends to Note

Between 1960 and 1970, there were

406 fewer Catholic Secondary Schools

Between 2000 and 2010, there were

16 fewer Catholic Secondary Schools

*Over the last 3 years, enrollment has declined some, but number of schools had remained

roughly the same.

Back to the Quiz

3.) One of the peak years for Catholic elementary and secondary school enrollment in the U.S. was…

A.) 1960 C. 1947

B.) 1973 D. 1920

Question #3 Answer

Catholic school enrollment was

Close to its peak in 1960, with

5,253,000 enrolled in K-12

Today, there are 2,031,455 enrolled

In K-12

Elementary

Between 1960 and 1970, there were 1,135 fewer Catholic Elementary schools

Between 2000 and 2010, there were 1,034

fewer Catholic Elementary schools

*Number of Catholic elementary schools has dropped at a greater rate than secondary

Why is that so? A Few Guesses…

Elementary Schools More Catholic

elementary schools in existence.

Harder to find exemplary administrators

Difficulty when pastors do not want the “burden” of Catholic elementary schools.

Less training available due to budget constraints

Secondary Schools Most have boards that

influence the direction of the schools.

More effort given to finding qualified administrators

Greater levels of Professional Development

*More have development offices

Now, back to our Quiz:

4.) True or False:

The national graduation rate among Catholic secondary school students is

90.5%?

TrueFalse

#4.) Answer

False

The national graduation rate among Catholic secondary school students is

99.4%

And that’s higher than…

National graduation rates at these other types of schools:

Religious (Non-Catholic): 98.1%

Non-sectarian private: 95.0%

Public: 75.5%

So, what else about Catholic Secondary Schools?

5.) In what part of the Country

are most Catholic secondary schools

found?

Regional Breakdown of Catholic Secondary Schools

New England: 7.4%Great Lakes: 20.4%Southeast: 15.8%*

Plains: 11.5%Mideast: 24.9%West: 20.0%*

* Indicates higher percentage of schools than ten years ago.

Source: Annual Statistical Report on Schools, Enrollment and Staffing, NCEA, 2012

6.) Percent of Catholic Secondary Schools with a President/Principal model:

A.) 50%

B.) 40%

C.) 55%

D.) 35%

President/Principal Model?

Average percentage in all Catholic secondary schools?

55%

Religious owned schools: 70%

Diocesan owned schools: 43%

7.) The average Catholic Secondary School Endowment?

A.) $3.7 Million

B.) $1.7 Million

C.) $850,000

D.) $200,000

Answer: Avg. Catholic Secondary School Endowment?

$3.7 Million

(The values vary greatly, however, so if you are not near that, don’t

Feel badly)Source: Dollars & Sense, NCEA, 2011

8.) Average Percentage of Catholic Secondary Schools with a FT Chief Advancement Officer?

A.) 57%

B.) 84%

C.) 64%

D.) 90%

Full-time Chief Advancement Officer?

64%

Source: Dollar & Sense, NCEA, 2011

9.) % of operating income that comes from Advancement Programs?

A.) 15%

B.) 25%

C.) 13%

D.) 7%

% Operating income from Advancement?

On average, 7% of operating income in Catholic secondary schools comes from

advancement programs

Dollars & Sense, NCEA, 2011

10.) Top priority of Advancement programs in Cath. Secondary Schools?

A.) Marketing

B.) The Annual Fund

C.) Alumni/ae Relations

D.) The Annual Candy Bar Sale

Top Priority among advancement activities?

The Annual Fund

Dollars & Sense, NCEA, 2011

11.) And Finally, what percentage of CS Alumni contribute to Annual Funds?

A. 55%

B.) 30%

D.) 74%

E.) 14%

Alumni and Annual Funds

On average, just 14% of alumni contribute

to Catholic secondary school

annual funds.

*This does not mean they do not contribute in other ways however.

Source: Dollars & Sense, NCEA, 2011

Conclusions

When it comes to raising funds, Catholic secondary schools have a lot of room for growth

We want our alumni and friends to have positive thoughts about our schools

The time to invest in the future of Catholic secondary education is NOW.

About Catholic Schools

It used to be that….

Those who went to Catholic schools mostly knew others who went to Catholic schools.

Pre-1950’s and 60’s, they had good experiences in Catholic schools.

Catholic meant cultural experience as much as it was about religion.

With greater communication and integration of vast numbers of immigrants,

Those who grew up Catholic began to include others in their circles, including non-Catholics.

This led to greater questioning on religion and Church authority.

Catholic schools themselves are more pluralistic – but is the image society projects and accurate one?

What many in society might think about Catholic education in general

Secular views of Catholic Schools come from two main sources

Stories from those who attended Catholic schools

(often exaggerated)

And, the Media

Movies

Books

Cartoons

Plays

Many people who do not know Catholic schools well assume that they all…

All have strict nunsHave repressed and unhappy studentsHave students who are looking for ways

to break the strict rulesHave some wacko teachersTeach religion in a forced mannerAre educationally backward

So what’s the Reality?

Most Catholic schools that exist today must project an image of excellence to the community

Why is it that some Catholic schools are thriving?

While some others, in very much the same circumstances are not?

We look to Leadership

What research tells us about all schools and leaders

A school’s leader is the # 1 factor in overall school success Hallinger and Heck, 2002; Louis,

Dretzke, and Wahlstrom, 2010; Tschannen-moran & Gareis, 2004)

School leadership is the second most influential factor in student achievement

(second only to actual instruction)

Most school leaders

Choose staff Evaluate staff Implement Long-

term plans (or not) Are the public face of

the school Are instrumental in

highlighting school values and mission.

Just a thought…

An organization is like a bicycle. When

it is moving forward it is stable.

When it is static it tends to fall. Anonymous

Good Leadership Traits for Catholic School Administrators

Mission Oriented. The leader knows why the school exists and supports that in word and action. It is central to everything the staff and students do.

Who wants to send their child to a school that does not know what it is about?

Catholic Schools

Catholic schools support the work of the Church, which is the “bride of Christ on earth.”

Catholic schools with a strong sense of mission show that through visible and non-visible symbols throughout the school.

The work of Catholic school personnel is a ministry.

Strong School Identity

What is the Catholic school known for?-A classical curriculum?-A diverse student body?-Academic superiority?-or something less than these?

*All schools need an identity that comes to define them.

Communications

Regular communication between administration and staff within the school

-Friday Notes for the following week

-A school calendar posted in a conspicuous place

-An athletic calendar

-A schedule of regular meetings

Communications with Parents

A weekly newsletter (preferably via e-mail)

Phone calls from the school’s administration.

A policy for staff to return calls within a day (or so).

A school magazine highlighting great things in the school

Communications with Students

A school newspaper which allows outstanding students to shine and

celebrates achievements of all students.Student magazine which encourage

writing skills and thoughts.The school’s yearbook. A picture is

worth a thousand words.

Never underestimate the power of …

Good Communication in a school

Leading by including others…

Faculty committeesParent BoardsDepartment chairsAssistant principals and other

administrators

Remember…

Nothing will turn off a school community

More than a school leader who thinks he or she

Knows it all and fails to ask, listen,

and converse.

Public Relations

Your school can only become something great if you regard it that way.

Use PR to highlight faculty and staff accomplishments – Killing two birds with one stone in that the teacher is thrilled and the school looks great.

Public Relations

Reach out in a positive manner to the entire school community.

-Students

-Alumni

-Parents

-Local business and neighbors

-Staff

-Local Church officials

Students

Should be proud of their schoolShould be happy in their schoolShould feel wanted and included in their

schoolShould be the center of what the school

is all about.Should want to come back to the school

later.

Alumni

Should feel welcome in their school.Should be encouraged to have alumni

events at the school or on the propertyShould be aware of accomplishments

that are occurring within the schoolShould be proud to be graduates of the

school and should be treated well by the school.

Good “PR” Allows for Involvement

By allowing various school-related groups to develop strong commitments to the

school the leader builds a sense of ownership and all of those involved

become stakeholders.

Schools like that don’t usually close.

Finally, Public Relations…

Can be the building blocks of good Advancement and Development programs.

Planning Well

Assessing needs and knowing where the school is headed is crucial to

establishing excellence.

Planning well allows schools to be proactive instead of reactive.

Planning Involves

Involving stakeholdersIdentifying strengths and weaknessesWorking together to establish a viable

plan that will lead the school toward improvement.

Evaluating how well the plan is working and adjusting it as necessary.

Setting Policy

Comes from planningGives clarity to those involved in the daily

“grind.”Should be in best interests of all.

Policy is one way of putting plans

into action.

Appraising your school

Ask…

What is the atmosphere like?

Who is happy and who may not be?

Are the students and their needs at the center of everything the school is about?

Leader Outlook

Half Full?

Half Empty?