BRIDGEPORT—The Diocesan Schools Office has issued its 2021 Annual Report, which notes that student enrollment has increased by 11 percent this year, which is the highest increase in enrollment in decades.
Total enrollment for 2021 was 8,462 students in pre-school through high school. The diocesan system includes 19 elementary schools, five high schools and one special needs school, along with five independent Catholic schools in Fairfield County.
Dr. Steven Cheeseman, superintendent of Catholic Schools in the diocese, attributes the growth in enrollment to the strong, faith-based learning communities that helped schools remain open and responsive to students during the most difficult days of the pandemic.
“It is that gift of community that has helped our schools through the rough times caused by this pandemic. While there can be no doubt that the pandemic has challenged our schools, our leaders, teachers and families. We must acknowledge the many blessing that have come from everyone’s commitment to mission and focus on the academic success of our students,” he said.
Dr. Cheeseman also noted that the personalized learning initiative, introduced in schools prior to the pandemic, helped students and teachers overcome many obstacles and helped students achieve growth in Language and Math proficiency, while other school systems reported academic losses.
In his introductory letter to the 2021 Annual Report, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano wrote, “Teaching in any given year is a difficult task, but this past year has truly put our Catholic educators to the test, and they have met every single challenge.”
The bishop said he was deeply grateful to donors who have given generously to support innovations in Catholic education and to the teachers and administrators “for their heroic leadership that has helped ensure the healthy, safe and joy-filled learning environments so that students can grow in academics and in faith.”
Among the highlights of the report is that 100 percent of students graduate from Catholic high schools, and 99 percent go on to college or the military.
The report also features schools such as Cardinal Kung Academy (CKS) in Stamford and St. Theresa School in Trumbull that have adopted a Classical education model. The classical model of Catholic education puts Jesus Christ at its center with a curriculum that focuses on the humanities suppled with art, music and Latin coursework.
The diocesan schools’ report also introduces the Seton Collaborative, an operations support network (OSN) that will support schools with financial and information technology services. The shared service organization grew out of the 2020 Strategic Plan initiative to create expertise in running the business side of the school while freeing administrators to focus on the educational mission. Kevin Lawlor, retired executive vice president of Fairfield University, is serving as the executive director.
The report acknowledges the key role played by Foundations in Education (FIE), which has awarded $2.7 million in tuition assistance to diocesan K-8 families through the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund. The foundations (along with Foundations in Faith and Foundations in Charity) were established as part of the We Stand With Christ capital campaign. It provides innovation and leadership grants that have supported professional development and upgraded technology in the schools.
For enrollment information, contact numbers, and locations, visit the diocesan Catholic schools website: www.dioceseofbridgeportcatholicschools.com
To read the 2021 Diocesan Catholic Schools Annual Report report in its entirety, visit: www.dioceseofbridgeportcatholicschools.com/flipbook-2021-annual-report
