Celebrating Catholic Schools Week

Faith, Excellence and Service in the Diocese of Boise

St. Mark’s Catholic School students prepare to guide visiting attendees to their seats at the annual All Schools Mass.

(ICR Photo/Vero Gutiérrez)

As the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Boise, I am so blessed to work alongside our Catholic Schools. Catholic Schools Week is an annual event held during the last week of January. It is a time to reflect on the vital role Catholic education plays in shaping the lives of our students and strengthening our Church and society. This year our focus is, “Faith. Excellence. Service,” beautifully encapsulates the mission of our 16 Catholic schools across our diocese.

The Value of Catholic Education

Since its establishment in 1974, Catholic Schools Week has highlighted the profound impact of Catholic education. Rooted in faith, academic rigor, and a commitment to service, our schools offer students a foundation that prepares them for success in life and a lifetime of discipleship. In Idaho, our Catholic schools have a long history of nurturing students to become faithful, compassionate and thoughtful leaders. Spanning every region of our state, each of our schools plays a vital role in forming young minds and hearts.

Catholic schools are unique in their ability to integrate faith into every aspect of the educational experience. Our students are encouraged to see the world through the lens of their Catholic values, fostering a sense of purpose and a commitment to the common good. Whether through daily prayer, participation in the sacraments, or living out the Gospel through acts of service, our schools strive to create an environment where faith flourishes.

The Impact of Catholic Schools in the

Diocese of Boise

The 16 Catholic schools in our diocese serve as beacons of light and hope in their communities. With a commitment to academic excellence, our schools consistently achieve outstanding results, with high graduation rates and college acceptance levels that surpass national averages (see chart below). More importantly, our students are formed as people of integrity, guided by their faith to make ethical decisions and contribute positively to society.

Our schools foster a spirit of service, encouraging students to give back and support those in need. This commitment to service is evident during community outreach projects throughout the school year.

A Call to Celebrate and Support

Catholic Schools Week is a celebration, but it is also an invitation. I encourage everyone to engage with a Catholic school in your area. Take some time to visit one of our schools to witness the faith, joy and learning that takes place in all of our school communities.

As we reflect on Catholic Schools Week, let us also remember the many people who make Catholic education possible: our dedicated principals, teachers and staff, our pastors and parish communities, our generous donors, and our parents, who are the primary educators of their children. Your commitment and support are the foundation upon which our schools thrive.

Finally, I ask for your continued prayers for our students, families and educators. Together, we can ensure that Catholic education in the Diocese of Boise continues to flourish, inspiring generations to live lives of faith, excellence and service.

Happy Catholic Schools Week!

An education worth investing in

Catholic schools out perform public and charter schools according to national research

Marc Porter Magee, PhD in Sociology, is the founder and CEO of the 50-State Campaign for Achievement Now (50CAN), a nonprofit education advocacy group founded in January 2011 and headquartered in Washington, D.C. According to its website, 50CAN’s mission is to advocate for a high-quality education for all kids, regardless of their address, connecting and supporting local leaders in states nationwide to help them improve educational policies in their communities.

Magee took the 2024 “Nation’s Report Card” (see nationsreportcard.gov) and compared it to Catholic schools using the National Catholic Education Association’s (NCEA) data for the same period (see ncea.org, “Catholic Schools Outshine Public Schools in Nation’s Report Card”).

The data reveals that if Catholic schools were measured as a state by the Nation’s Report Card, Catholic schools would rank first in math and reading, ahead of both public and charter schools.