Families Discover Catholic Schools

While the tradition of celebrating Catholic Schools Week dates back to 1974, Discover Catholic Schools Week was added only a few years ago. Celebrate Catholic Schools Week (CSW) spans from January 28th to February 3rd. It is the celebration of Catholic education across the United States. The week involves a Mass, open houses, and events for students, parents, parishioners, and families. 

According to the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), Discover Catholic Schools Week, or DCSW, is “the companion to Celebrate Catholic Schools Week.” This year, DCSW will occur from November 12th to the 18th. The week involves similar CSW events but includes different themed days. NCEA received feedback from schools nationwide and created DCSW. By adding these extra days, schools can have year-wide Catholic education promotions and showcases which include open houses and tours traditionally held in the fall. 

The goal of DCSW and CSW is to highlight and promote the value of a Catholic education to the students, the parish, and the community. However, the purpose of DCSW is more specific. According to the NCEA it is “designated to help schools connect with prospective families, donors, educators and other community members.”

Like Catholic Schools Week, each day of Discover Catholic Schools Week has its own theme. Starting on Sunday and ending on Saturday, each day offers a specific theme: “Discover With Your Parish,” “Discover Catholic School Students,” “Discover Catholic School Parents,” “Discover Catholic School Educators,” “Celebrating the Faith-Based Community,” “Celebrating Faculty, Staff, and Volunteers,” and “Celebrating Catholic Schools Week.” Charlotte Catholic will not host events within the school. DCSW is a marketing opportunity for the diocese to send out promotional material like email blasts, especially around the time school applications open.

Vice Principal Philips emphasizes the value of Catholic schools and the faith-driven education they provide. “It’s good for kids to understand what a unique opportunity they have in attending a Catholic school,” she says. Mrs. Philips is passionate about Catholic education because of the impact it had on her life. Her coaches and teachers inspired her to pursue a career in Catholic education. She acknowledges how, “Unlike a lot of schools that are just focused on the intellectual part of the child, we can help develop the intellectual, the emotional, the spiritual, and the social for a very well rounded education.” She believes DCSW is a chance for parents and students who are not members of the Catholic school community to understand what a Catholic education entails.

As DCSW proceeds, enrollment continues through the winter and into the spring. DCSW is just one of the ways Catholic schools appeal to prospective students and families. 

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