January 19, 2017 - We Believe in Catholic Schools Campaign Launched

40,000 Car Decals & Social Media Campaign Part of Broad  Initiative in Support of Catholic Education 
January 19, 2017, Braintree, MA – Highlighting a history of accomplishment anchored by a track record of academic excellence in an enriching faith filled environment, Cardinal Seán O’Malley and Kathy Mears, superintendent of Catholic Schools, announced a grass roots campaign to promote Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Boston.

 The “We believe in Catholic Schools” campaign will be launched this month in advance of the 2017 Catholic Schools Week, which runs from January 29 to February 4. 
As part of a broad initiative to highlight the importance of Catholic education, the Archdiocese is leading a social media campaign, utilizing the Cardinal’s blog (www.cardinalseansblog.org), and distributing 40,000 car decals to Catholic school families and staff.

Partially funded by a private donor to the Campaign for Catholic Schools, the car decals read “We believe in Catholic Schools” with a blue plaid cross. “We chose this saying as it is reminiscent of our Creed, which is the basic expression of who we are and what we believe as Catholics,” said Mrs. Mears. She continued, “The saying also shows faith in our school system that educates close to 40,000 students each year.” The stickers will be distributed to 118 Catholic schools along with a letter from Cardinal Seán, thanking families for their commitment to Catholic education and encouraging them to display the decals on their vehicles.
Catholic Education Track Record  
Catholic schools are the largest private educator of children in this country. Research shows that Catholic school students test higher than their public school peers. The graduation rate for Catholic high schools is 97%, with 96% of students going on to post-secondary education, 92% to four-year colleges. 60% of Catholic schools are in urban settings, and the schools are open to all families who are interested in quality Catholic education. Thirty percent of students in the Archdiocese who attend Catholic schools are not Catholic.  
In recent years, Cardinal Seán has led an effort to rebuild struggling urban schools through the Campaign for Catholic Schools, which has built new regional elementary school academies in Dorchester, Mattapan and Brockton.