Celebrate Catholic Schools week in the Diocese of Buffalo Jan. 29 through Feb. 4. Find a Catholic elementary school near you Open House information.
In 2011, the top-rated elementary school and high school in Western New York, as ranked in the 2011 Business First Guide to Western New York Schools, are Catholic schools. Four of the top ten elementary and high schools are also Catholic schools. Read more.
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We are pleased to present to you "Faith in Tomorrow," a three-year strategic plan which builds on a history of more than 150 years of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Buffalo. It is our sincere hope that this plan will strengthen not just our Catholic schools, but also our Church and community as it offers us Faith in Tomorrow.
This strategic planning process culminates extensive research of Church documents and the thoughtful investigation of strategic plans produced by other dioceses. It builds on the work of Meitler Consultants and Verdi & Company, who researched the current state of Catholic schools, and the demographics and financial realities of the eight counties of Western New York. Input from hundreds of individuals helped to shape the planning process. We are grateful to the John R. Oishei Foundation for their financial support of this process.
The research confirmed that our Catholic schools continue to provide academic excellence, maintaining a 99 percent high school graduation rate. Additionally, in a spiritually sound environment, our students are well prepared to be responsible members of their community. However, the data overwhelmingly indicates that our present network of Catholic schools in its current configuration is financially unsustainable. This plan is designed to reverse this trend.
Nine committees led by members of the diocesan Catholic School Advisory Council identified and focused on seven key result areas for strengthening our schools:
• Catholic Identity
• Organizational Structure and Leadership
• Finances
• Academic Excellence
• Marketing and Communications
• Facilities and Transportation
• Health and Human Services
Strategic planning is a process and every goal, strategy and action plan outlined in this plan will be assigned a team leader, a specific completion date, appropriate resources and methods of assessment. The Diocese of Buffalo Catholic School Advisory Council will oversee the implementation process and regular reports on the progress will be made to the entire community.
We invite you to visit the "Faith in Tomorrow" website with an open mind and heart. Change is never easy, but with change comes exciting opportunities to strengthen and expand Catholic schools for our children and grandchildren. We cannot dwell on the past, but must carry our traditions of excellence into the future.
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We welcome you to wnycatholicschools.org and thank you for your interest in Western New York’s Catholic schools – where every child is seen as a child of God, deserving of respect and an opportunity to reach their full potential.
When it comes to education, we know parents have many choices. Families of all faiths who have chosen the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Buffalo have discovered outstanding education, leadership and spiritual guidance for their children – a tradition since 1847.
Read a message from Dr. Rosemary J. Henry – the Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Buffalo.
Listen to what our students say about their Catholic school experience
Listen to more about choosing a Catholic education
Learn, Grow, Succeed
At Western New York’s Catholic schools, we believe in educating mind, body and soul in a caring, nurturing, safe environment. Our approach to education focuses on the many aspects of a student's growth. By fostering their intellectual, spiritual, physical and social development, we help children to become better students and well-rounded young men and women capable of succeeding in high school, college and beyond.
Great Teachers . . . Great Students
The caring teachers in our Catholic schools are among the most qualified and brightest professionals in the field. You'll also find some of the most dedicated – to children and to our faith. Beginning in the elementary years and continuing through high school, our teachers ensure that learning is maximized through personal attention, technology and a variety of instructional strategies. The result: 98 percent of Catholic high school students go on to college.
Find out more about why so many families have chosen a Catholic education for their children. Call 716-847-5520 for more information or to schedule a tour.
Catholic Schools – Preparing Students for a Brighter Future.
