Catholic Schools Week, an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States, now through February 6. The theme for this year’s observance is Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service. The 229 Catholic Schools across the Archdiocese of Chicago will celebrate through activities including, special Masses, talent shows, service projects, open houses and visits from special guests.
“Archdiocese schools provide a high quality education and provide a valuable service to families, communities and society,” said Archbishop Blase J. Cupich. “Our students come from widely diverse
socioeconomic, ethnic and religious backgrounds and we have an excellent track record at preparing them for life as well educated, responsible adults. We measure our success not just in graduation rates and test
scores, where our students rank well above their peers, but also in their level of civic involvement and achievement as they take their place in society.”
The Archdiocese of Chicago is the largest private school system in the United States with more than 79,000 students attending its 229 Catholic schools. Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity to celebrate the communities, the families and the achievements at all the elementary and high schools in Cook and Lake Counties.
“Catholic Schools Week is a time to celebrate the powerful and positive impact our schools have had on our nation,” said Dr. Jim Rigg, Superintendent of Catholic Schools. “During this week, we join with dioceses across the country in celebrating the history, excellence and success of Catholic school education. Each of our schools is planning a variety of fun and service-related activities and I am excited to get out into the community to participate.”
Most Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese will host open houses on Sunday, January 31 for families exploring admissions. Parents or guardians seeking information about these events and Archdiocese schools can visit the Catholic Schools website, schools.archchicago.org, where school locations and contact information can be found. Current information about Catholic Schools Week activities is also included on the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools Facebook page, facebook.com/catholicschools.
The annual Catholic Schools Week celebration is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Catholic Schools Week was established in 1974 to recognize Catholic education as a great gift to the Church and the nation.
About the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
The Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools serves more than 79,000 students in 229 schools in Cook and Lake Counties. It is the largest private school system in the United States and the recipient of the greatest number of U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards of any school system. In July 2015, all Archdiocesan elementary and secondary schools were successfully accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.
About the Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 351 parishes in Cook and Lake Counties, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese,
pastored by Archbishop Blase J. Cupich, has more than 15,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region’s largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also
has one of the country’s largest seminaries. The Archdiocese’s 229 elementary and secondary schools comprise the largest U.S. private school system and have garnered more U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards than any system of any type.
