Why Catholic Schools?
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Vision Statement for the Department of Catholic Schools
The Catholic schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh aim to provide unparalleled quality, integrating faith into every aspect of life and culture, producing graduates who strive for human and Christian perfection.
These well-managed schools will be open to all and accessible, seeking support from the entire Catholic community. We are committed to excellence in our spiritual and academic goals, directing all learning and activities toward the full development of the human person, the welfare of society, and the building of the Kingdom of God.
Learn more about why Catholic schools matter at: www.diopitt.org/why-Catholic-Schools-matter.
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"This is true education: accompanying young people so that they discover in service to others and in academic rigor the construction of the common good...We need to move from the culture of the 'I' to the culture of the 'we', where quality education is defined as such by its humanising results and not by economic results," he stressed. This shift, he continued, requires placing the person at the centre of the educational process...The best way to educate is through example,” said the Pope, adding “modelling in ourselves what we desire in our students. This is how Jesus educated his disciples.
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We believe that Catholic schools are at the heart of the mission not only of the church but the community and the good of our country. We also believe that Catholic schools are the single most effective means the Church has created for evangelization.
The schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh are uniquely Catholic. They exist for the purpose of promoting a Catholic way of life based on Gospel values. The Catholic Schools play an important role in transmitting the faith, in building the community, and in promoting service. To preserve traditional, moral, and religious values and to meet the new ethical challenges in tomorrows society emphasis is placed on critical thinking skills, problem solving, and decision making.
The curriculum of our schools reflects these Catholic principles through integration of the faith into all areas of instruction. Dedicated professionals whose teaching ministry is based on a love for the Church create an environment that is communal and service oriented. The leadership of pastor and principal provides for opportunities for Catholic practices that include preparing and participation in liturgies, reception of the sacraments, and other spiritual experiences.
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Continuous Growth Approach to Curricula Instruction
The Catholic Schools located within the Diocese of Pittsburgh are committed to a program of education which seeks academic excellence, moral courage and developing faith, in the light of social and cultural change.
The curricula for the Catholic Schools are based on the pedagogical concepts that all children are unique, learn at different rates, and are to be challenged to their fullest potential.
Research indicates that children will achieve according to the expectancies placed upon them by their teachers and parents. The schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh place high expectancy upon all teachers to motivate the children to achieve to the best of their ability.
This is particularly true in the skill areas of reading and math. The curricula for these subjects are so designed that students can advance through defined levels of competency according to their needs and abilities. This program is referred to as a Continuous Growth Program. This term, continuous growth, indicates a multi-dimensional approach of continuing individual learning. Students are evaluated on their achievement at expected grade level.
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Goals of the Continuous Growth Program in Reading and Math are:
- to recognize and provide for differences in each student’s growth patterns;
- to provide an environment in reading and math classes that permits and encourages continuous growth;
- to adapt the math and reading curriculum to each child so as to challenge maximum individual development.
- to encourage students to exert effort so that they may experience success in their encounter with each school situation.
Flexible grouping is an important component of the continuous growth concept. This provision places students at an appropriate instructional level and then allows them to move forward in the curriculum as they achieve mastery of content and skills. Students are not to be “locked” into an instructional group. Teachers will assess the learning abilities of their students and allow for this flexibility in their instructional groups.Teachers, recognizing different learning styles, vary their presentation and assignments in the other areas of the curricula so as to provide for the individual needs of each child. Critical thinking skills, problem solving and research techniques are to be a part of each student’s instruction. Enrichment activities should be provided for all students, thus broadening the lesson presented. Learners who achieve at a slower pace should be given the opportunity to work with those who are more gifted in order to encourage cooperation and team work among the students.In using this approach to education, the teachers in the Diocese of Pittsburgh strive to implement the American Bishops’ Pastoral "TO TEACH AS JESUS DID" by teaching His message, building faith community and encouraging students to be of service to others.
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