Montana Catholic Schools Weekly
October 25, 2014
Who We Are (Data Matters)
We need to be data-driven. Not in the sense that test scores dictate all we do but rather in the sense that we should have data to back up our opinions. To that end, we have compiled the demographic surveys and I can present a few significant data points in the areas of students, staff, and schools. These data points illuminate our school system and could perhaps eliminate misconceptions about the Montana Catholic schools. In the next few weeks, I’ll be putting together a report for the bishops on enrollment trends and the state of our schools. I’ll be sharing that report with all principals in the regional meetings and will then post it on the website.
Students
- It seems that most people believe our schools serve only rich white students. Over 28% of our students fall below the poverty line.
- Over 25% of our students are Native American. We have a very robust system of 8 Indian schools which do not charge tuition but we also have a significant population of Native American students at our other schools, too. State-wide, the Indian population of our public schools is 13%.
- Our non-Catholic population is much larger than even I expected (33%). This testifies to the quality of our schools and their ability to attract non-Catholics.
Staff
- Likewise, our non-Catholic population of staff (30%) is higher than expected, which perhaps testifies to our ability to attract mission-driven educators and underlines the importance of our annual religious formation classes.
- Our average salary is approximately $30,000 which on one hand draws attention to the dedication of our staff who could be making far more in the public system (average salary of $45,000) and the work left to be done on our part to reward teachers.
Schools
- Our system of 23 schools boasts an enrollment of over 3,800 students which makes it the 7th-largest school district in the state.
- Our total enrollment declined by only 6 students in the past year.
- The most enrollment growth by a diocesan school was St. Francis Primary School (Billings) which grew by almost 5%.
- The biggest growth, however, happened here in Helena by the independent Catholic school, St. Andrew, which grew 8% (14 students) and is now enrolling 189 students K-12.
Rachel Earl
Divine Mercy Academy
Rev. Dan Wathen
The Week Ahead
Sunday: CACE
Monday: CACE
Tuesday: CACE
Wednesday: CACE
Thursday: Helena (office day & meeting with Carroll College's Kyle Baker)
Friday: meeting with Bishop Thomas in Helena and Bishop Warfel in Great Falls
This week: 2,572 miles
Last week: 753 miles
This year: 8,992 miles
Montana Catholic Schools
Email: superintendent@montanacc.org
Website: montanacatholicschools.org
Location: 1313 11th Avenue, Helena, MT, United States
Phone: (406) 442-5761
Twitter: @tduhl
Upcoming Events
November 5: Helena chancery meeting
November 13: Great Falls Study Commission
November 18: Missoula regional principal meeting 10 am
November 19: Great Falls regional principal meeting 10 am
November 20: Billings regional principal meeting 10 am