Vision

Catholic Identity

  • Religious instruction and formation will be rooted in the Scriptures and teachings of the Catholic Church and the liturgical life of the parish.
  • A distinctive Catholic environment of Gospel-inspired values will be integrated into all areas of curriculum and school life.

Educational Program

  • Catholic schools will strive to be centers of educational excellence.
  • Curriculums, programs and methodologies will be evaluated on a regular basis and updated to produce students who are prepared for employment, self-actualization, productive lives in society and for future education.
  • State-of-the-art educational resources and up-to-date technology will be provided to support and integrate learning and instruction.
  • In addition to a strong core curriculum, Catholic schools will offer extracurriculars such as fine arts, music, athletics and clubs.
  • Where there is a need, Catholic schools will provide preschool, before and after school care, parenting classes for school parents, etc.
  • Catholic schools will continue to encourage religious vocations and involvement of their students and graduates in parish life.

Faculty and Staff

  • School faculty and staff will share the vision of Catholic Christian education, helping young people grow and mature in their faith.
  • School faculty and staff will be State certified, competent and committed to academic excellence.
  • Individual faculty members will be regularly evaluated based upon their spiritual involvement and professional growth.
  • School faculty and staff will be compensated justly (salary and benefits), consistent with the Catholic Church's teachings on social justice.

Enrollment

  • An increasing number of parents will choose Catholic schools because they embrace Catholic values and want a Christ-centered educational program.
  • Catholic schools will be actively marketed to increase enrollment.
  • The quality and value of Catholic schools will be communicated to the public so that the public perception of Catholic schools in consistent with their results.
  • Catholic schools will strive to reflect the economic and racial diversity of their surrounding community.
  • Catholic schools will reach out to the non-Catholic community and will enroll non-Catholic children when space is available.
  • Catholic school parents will be a major marketing force for Catholic schools.

Leadership

  • The bishops will provide leadership which continues to focus on the value and role of Catholic schools in achieving the mission of the Church in the Diocese of Portland.
  • The clergy will provide leadership to achieve the level of excellence outlined in the Vision for Catholic Schools.
  • Catholic school administrators will be qualified leaders, who have a vision for excellence in Catholic schools.
  • Catholic schools will have active and supportive school boards and parent and alumni associations.

Resources

  • Alumni support and local development income will grow substantially to match the budgetary needs of schools.
  • Local and regional parish subsidy and diocesan support will be maintained at an appropriate level to achieve the Vision for Catholic Schools.
  • Tuition levels will be sufficient to fund a quality Catholic school program.
  • Tuition assistance will be aggressively developed and available to help families who cannot afford to pay full tuition at Catholic schools.
  • Volunteers will provide strong support for Catholic schools.

Parish/School Relations

  • All parishes will value, support and advocate Catholic school education as an integral part of the Church's ministry.
  • Catholic school parents and faculties will be actively involved in service to their parishes and to the community at large.
  • Catholic schools will collaborate with one another, with parish religious education programs and with other agencies.

Diocese/School Relations

  • The Catholic Church of Maine will continue to actively support the ministry of Catholic schools.\

Facilities

  • Facilities will be maintained in good physical condition, to demonstrate a commitment to quality schools and stewardship of resources.
  • Catholic schools will be opened or expanded in areas where Catholic schools are not available and there is a large and growing Catholic population that can sustain a school.