Why Catholic Schools?
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Our Catholic schools are communities where faith, learning and authentic friendship flourish. Like the Body of Christ, individuals from all walks of life, ages, cultures and vocations glorify God, each member uniquely growing and contributing to the whole.
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Mark Reynolds, 7th Grade Student, Divine Mercy Academy
"Learning about my Catholic faith at Divine Mercy Academy has helped me grow closer to God. We have many opportunities to learn about God at our school. One of these opportunities is going to weekly Mass and receiving the sacraments. Receiving Jesus' body and blood helps me live in a Christ-like manner. In religion class, we are taught about our faith and God's love for each of us. This helps build my relationship with God. The principal, teachers, and staff at Divine Mercy Academy are good role models for my faith journey. Another benefit of going to a Catholic school is seeing God's love reflected in the actions of my classmates. This deepens my relationship with God because I see His love every day."
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Jessica Willis, Teacher, Madonna Catholic
"Teaching in a Catholic school is a vocation that has ignited a deep love for my profession and the values promoted by Madonna Catholic. As a STEM and science teacher, my role goes beyond teaching content; it's about nurturing a sense of wonder in my students and bridging the gap between science and faith. I believe that by encouraging students to be open-minded and receptive to new experiences, we enable them to witness the magnificence of God's creation. I am constantly reminded that as a teacher, I'm simply a guide helping students unveil the beauty of the world. Like my students, I am on a continuous path of wonder and learning, growing not only as an educator but also as a person of faith, all while nurturing a love for teaching and my Madonna Catholic family."
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Sharon Sipe, Diocese of Pittsburgh, Parent
"Being a parent of three children, it’s easy to get caught up in daily chores and errands. Many miles have been put on my car to get my family to where they need to be - school, practice, appointments, or a friend’s house. In the end though, what is it all for? Catholic education has been key in guiding my family to place God first in our lives. Over the years, many beautiful Catholic friendships have blossomed while we have been learning, loving, and serving God. Daily religion classes have conjured up meaningful conversations at family dinners. The school gives us many service opportunities, through which my family has learned to see Christ in others. We are able to be active in living the sacramental life, such as going to Mass and Confession regularly during school hours. Our prayer lives have been enriched with spending time with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament during Adoration and participating in the Living Rosary and Living Stations of the Cross. Grace is said before every meal and prayers are said before every sporting event, reminding my family to always thank God for the gifts He provides and to glorify Him in all that we do. Over the years Catholic school has been fundamental to my family on our journey and leading us to our ultimate destination, which is Heaven."
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ACADEMICS
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IOWA Assessments
Academic excellence is a priority for our diocesan schools. Third- through eighth-grade students take the Iowa Assessments and consistently score above the national norms. These assessments measure readiness, student achievement and growth, evaluating foundational as well as complex skills.
In the spring of 2023, our students in grades three to eight took the Iowa Assessment, which measures student performance and readiness for college or careers. Diocese of Pittsburgh students across all grade levels exceeded the national average by 19-27% in English language arts and by 12-22% in mathematics.
Displayed to the right are "grade equivalent" scores, which show the year and month of school for which a student's skills are typical. For example, a grade equivalent score of 3.8 means that the student's achievement is typical for a child who has completed the eighth month of third grade. Our diocesan school averages exceeded the norms in all subjects at all grade levels.
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NAEP test scores
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), or “the nation’s report card,” is one of the most valid and trusted national measures of student achievement. First administered in 1969, it is the largest nationally representative assessment comparing the progress of students in both public and private schools. Students in grades 4, 8 and 12 are assessed in the areas of reading, math and other subjects every two years. In 2022, Catholic schools outscored public and charter schools in almost every category.
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SERVICE
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Service is a core value of our Catholic schools. Educators, coaches and parents teach by example, encouraging students to make a positive impact. Our academic clubs, sports programs and arts initiatives all include service components that nurture compassionate leaders.
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Archangel Gabriel School
Miss Golden's class made signs and bracelets to raise awareness of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a brain disorder from which Miss Golden's father died. Their project raised money for the Strides for CJD walkathon.
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Blessed Francis Seelos Academy
Students volunteer at the Saint Aidan Harvest Home Dinner and Festivalz, which benefits the school and parish. Nearly 400 students helped to provide more than 600 dinners.
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Holy Cross Academy
The junior varsity and varsity volleyball teams raised more than $100 and collected non-perishable food for the Saint Vincent de Paul food bank during bake sale and raffle fundraisers at their games.
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Student life beyond the classroom
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Schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh offer an extensive range of extracurricular activities that promote the development of the whole person. They are an integral part of our educational approach.
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