Schools in Diocese to Celebrate Catholic Schools Week Author: Diocese of Fall River Press Releases and Statements 23 Jan 2025 Share FALL RIVER – Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States with this year’s theme of “Catholic Schools United in Faith and Community” front and center during the week of January 26 – February 1, 2025. Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River will join thousands of Catholic schools across the country in celebrating the week by inviting their local communities to experience the richness of Catholic education through open houses, school Masses, tours, and a myriad of other traditions reserved for this time of year. As reported by the National Catholic Education Association[i], Catholic schools have adapted strategically when faced with shifts in technology demands, demographic changes, and the lingering social, emotional and academic impacts from the pandemic. Their resilience confirms Catholic schools’ enduring commitment to providing a grounded, faith-based education in a world that continues to be in flux[ii]. Dr. Carolyn Lavalley, principal of All Saints Catholic School in New Bedford, said, “Many families find that their local public or charter school system does not align with the values they prioritize, or they believe their children would benefit from a smaller environment that naturally integrates morality and character development. As a confirmation of this trend, through a recent family survey, we found that teaching moral values and our Catholicity and service each ranked #2 in what families value about our school.” Finally, affordability is always a concern for many new families as they engage in learning more about the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River. Christina Duggan, Vice President of Operations for the Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, explained, “Families with children in grades kindergarten to grade 8 are encouraged to apply to the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE) which helps reduce the cost of tuition by providing scholarships. For this school year, nearly 1,000 students have received a needs-based award which range from $250 – $2750 per student and can cover up to 50% of tuition, depending upon the school. FACE scholarships can result in a monthly tuition payment of $300 or less. Awards are determined by a family’s financial circumstances at the time of application and families must complete their application in FACTS by the March 31, 2025 deadline for the best chance of receiving an award.” “Every year, Catholic Schools Week provides the opportunity for our schools to celebrate their rich community traditions and tell their great story of how Catholic education has formed young people to go further and serve, lead, and impact the common good,” said Daniel S. Roy, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Fall River. “I welcome every family to consider contacting one or more of our Catholic schools to truly experience the difference of Catholic education.” For more information about the Catholic Schools Alliance or to view principal videos, please go to www.catholicschoolsalliance.org/meet-our-principals/. For a complete list of Open Houses, please go to www.catholicschoolsalliance.org/2025-open-houses/. [i] NCEA Data Brief: 2023-24 Catholic School Enrollment available at https://ncea.org/.[ii] Ibid. About the Catholic Schools Alliance The Catholic Schools Alliance comprises administrators, teachers, staff, parents and clergy joined in partnership to educate the children of the Diocese of Fall River in Catholic faith and values. Our schools have a demanding educational culture that helps students from across the academic spectrum reach their God-given potential. With an emphasis on service and respect for the dignity of every person, we prepare students to meet the challenges of today’s diverse world and become meaningful contributors to society. Diocese of Fall River Office of Communications Categories In the News Press Releases and Statements Messages from The Bishop Bishop's Blog Success Stories Photo Gallery Videos Uncategorized Related Posts Press Releases and Statements 23 Jan 2024 Schools in Diocese Celebrate Catholic Schools Week FALL RIVER – Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States, which is now in its 50th anniversary year. This year’s theme of “Catholic … Read More In the News 26 Jan 2022 Celebrate Catholic Schools Week is Jan. 30 – Feb. 5 FALL RIVER – The topic of education continues to be highlighted in the media as the Covid-19 pandemic has influenced and changed every aspect of life. Despite all schools offering … Read More In the News 25 Jan 2023 Schools in Diocese to Celebrate Catholic Schools Week FALL RIVER — For the week of January 29 through February 4, 2023, Catholic schools across the country will celebrate Catholic Schools Week, as has been the tradition since 1974. … Read More