January 2008

Renew Your Commitment to Catholic Education in 2008!

Dear Friend of Catholic Education,

At the beginning of a New Year, your thoughts may turn to new goals, as well as renewed commitment to your family, your community, and your faith. As you plan your goals for 2008, I ask you to reflect upon the many ways that Catholic schools have enriched your life, and consider how you can contribute in new and significant ways to the success of Catholic education in our region.

Catholic schools are a source of immense pride for the entire Catholic community. The values-based education provided by our Catholic schools cultivates faith formation, academic excellence, and a lifelong commitment to Christian service. Consider the importance of Catholic schools in our nation and region today.

• Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the United States represent the largest private school system in the world.
• More than 110,000 students attend the 321 schools in the regions represented by the Mid-Atlantic Catholic Schools Consortium: the dioceses of Arlington, Richmond, Wheeling-Charleston, and Wilmington, and the archdioceses of Baltimore and Washington
• 99 percent of Catholic high school students receive diplomas and 97 percent go on to post-secondary education.
• In the Mid-Atlantic region, Catholic schools contribute an important public service as part of each state’s extended educational network, saving the states over $1.14 billion in annual per-pupil costs.

Despite these achievements, Catholic schools face enormous challenges. Catholic schools strive to keep tuition rates affordable for middle-class and disadvantaged families; however, due to rising teacher salaries, energy costs, and other essential expenses, tuition alone cannot cover the cost to educate a student. At many schools, inevitable tuition increases have lead to declining enrollments.

Join Our Efforts to Strengthen Our Catholic Schools.

To respond to these and other challenges, the Mid-Atlantic Catholic Schools Consortium (MACSC) was formed in 2006 by the archdioceses of Baltimore and Washington and the dioceses of Arlington, Richmond, Wheeling-Charleston, and Wilmington. The mission of the MACSC is help the (arch)dioceses engage in collaborative efforts to ensure that Catholic schools remain schools of choice for Catholic children and their families, and all who desire an education rooted in the Catholic tradition and Gospel values. The MACSC brings together the six (arch)dioceses in ways that enhance the leadership, effectiveness, and efficiency of all Catholic schools in the region. Less than two years old, the MACSC has already launched several initiatives to address the challenges facing Catholic schools in the region, including:

• A program to leverage the purchasing power of the six (arch)dioceses and obtain the lowest possible prices on essentials such as textbooks, office supplies, and energy.
• The Federal Dollars Program, which will seek to identify and secure unused funds designated to provide essential services for students and teachers in non-public schools under the federal No Child Left Behind program.
• Support for state initiatives-such as school choice and tax credit programs-that respect the right of parents to choose schools for their children.
• A Leadership Institute to support Catholic school leadership teams for today and tomorrow.

You can help Catholic schools continue their critical mission of educating the future leaders of our Church. Your local Catholic schools welcome contributions of monetary gifts, as well as volunteer service. For a list of schools in your diocese, visit our School Page on our web site.

In addition, I encourage you to make a donation in support of the Mid-Atlantic Catholic Schools Consortium. Your gift will allow the MACSC to pursue our work on behalf of the 321 Catholic schools in the Mid-Atlantic region. Visit our Donation page to make your donation by credit card or for our mailing address.

I thank you for your continued support of Catholic education. Best wishes for the New Year!

Sincerely,

Mary Ellen Hrutka, Ph.D.
Executive Director

P.S. Please take a moment now to renew your commitment to our Catholic schools.

P.S.S. Your gift, regardless of size, will enable the MACSC to strengthen and support all Catholic schools in the Mid-Atlantic region and make Catholic schools the schools of choice. Thank you for your kind consideration