ORANGE, CA. (January 30, 2012) – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange will open its 42 highly acclaimed faith based schools throughout Orange County to future students and their families during National Catholic Schools Week which will take place from January 29 through February 5, 2011. National Catholic Schools week is an annual celebration of parochial education that allows families to learn more about Catholic education. “Catholic schools excel in offering high quality education, particularly to those most in need,” said Gregory Dhuyvetter, superintendent of Diocese of Orange schools. “Our schools are making a tremendous impact, not simply for the Catholic community but for the common good of all of society,” Dhuyetter said citing a recent Loyola Marymount University study that reveals Catholic schools better prepare economically disadvantaged students for college than comparable public schools.

According to the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), a standardized test measuring the skills and achievement of students from kindergarten through 8th grade, Diocese of Orange students rank in the top third in the nation. Nearly every one of the more than 19,000 students currently enrolled in OC Catholic Schools will eventually graduate from High School, according to historic system trends. In addition, an astonishing 97% percent of these graduates will move on to higher education.

Eight OC Catholic schools have attained the highest US Department of Education distinction through the No Child Left Behind Act-Blue Ribbon School Program. This federal program honors public and private K-12 schools that are either academically superior in their states or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. Private schools are nominated for this prestigious award by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE). These recognized schools include: Mission Parish School in San Juan Capistrano, Santa Margarita High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, Our Lady Queen of Angels School in Newport Beach, St. Edward the Confessor School in Dana Point, St. Cecilia School in Tustin, St. Bonaventure School in Huntington Beach, Serra Catholic School in Rancho Santa Margarita and St. Anne in Laguna Niguel.

“We are blessed to have been recognized eight times by the US Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon winners for academic performance and dramatic gains in student achievement. We are very proud of our students, teachers and parents and look forward to continued growth and academic success,” said Dhuyvetter.

In an era of dwindling resources and elective offerings, diocesan and parish schools provide a lower student-to-teacher ratio, fine arts programs, community service, physical education, before/after school care and above average student achievement. They also offer a strong formation in the Christian discipleship. However, Dhuyvetter notes, “We’re seeing that fewer families can afford the full tuition, and not enough resources are available to provide assistance for all families who desire but cannot afford Catholic school. Even among families who can afford it, there is less willingness to embrace the difficult sacrifices required.”

Enrollment at the Elementary School (11,000 students) and the High School (6,500 students) levels have declined the last 10 years (20% and 8% respectively), yet it is notable that the decline for the Diocese of Orange schools is less than the Catholic school national average (26% and 9% respectively). The Diocese has, and continues to support the financial challenges posed by the current business model for Catholic education. Historically, Bishop Tod D. Brown has enabled scholarships, grants, and debt forgiveness totaling nearly $100 million since the year 2000. Catholic education remains a priority for the Bishop who, going forward will ensure no less than $1M per year in school subsidies through the Orange Catholic Foundation’s PSA (Pastoral Services Appeal) and the future capital campaign. And, 100% of the net proceeds from OCF’s 2012 Conference on Business and Ethics will fund need based scholarships to Diocesan schools.

The Office of Faith Formation within the Diocese continues to provide Catholic school options that are dynamic, inclusive, diverse, and academically challenging – all with a foundation in Catholic teachings. Established in 1976, the Diocese of Orange encompasses 59 diocesan parishes and three pastoral centers serving the more than 1.2 million Catholics in Orange County. All schools in the diocese are full-term accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA).

National Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association and the United Conference of Catholic Bishops for the nation’s 7,800 catholic schools. For more information on events and individual schools please contact the Office of Faith Formation at 714-282-3065.

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