February 1, 2012
The month of February is an exceptionally busy one as it officially begins the registration period for the next school year. Too often, we think that the job of promoting the school and recruiting new students lies solely with one person. Many believe it is the job of a regional staff member while others think it is the responsibility of the campus principal. The truth of the matter is that recruiting new students and families, and promoting the benefits of a PJPIICA education is a primary responsibility of all of us – faculty, staff, parents, principals, regional staff, and, yes, even the students!
A Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy education provides our students with opportunities to unlock their gifts and talents in a challenging academic environment. Our students, from their earliest days in Pre-K to their final years in middle school, are guided to develop the essential skills to become productive, responsible global citizens and positive young men and women who possess a love of God, of learning, and of service to others. Across our curriculum, and throughout the course of a typical school day, teachers reinforce lessons in morals, values, faith formation, and good citizenship. Our students come to learn right from wrong, decision making, and good solid leadership skills by being held accountable for their actions. At PJPIICA, we work tirelessly with each of our 1,300 students to help them to become the persons that God has created them to be.
Our academic program at the Academy is rigorous. We offer Advanced Work Programs in math in grades three to eight. Our recent testing results on the High School Placement Exam showed significant improvements in some areas and stability in others in comparison to previous years. Every year 100% of our eighth graders are accepted into a high school of choice. In the earlier grades, we test and benchmark in reading. Boston Public Schools hopes that 80% of their first grade students are reading on grade level by the end of the first grade year. In a benchmark test of our first graders just last month, over 65% of our first graders were already on or above grade level. Truly, a tremendous tribute to good teaching. The Winter Math Diagnostic Testing in grades three to eight, administered in December, showed a 3% increase over last year’s scores, and an 8% increase since beginning this testing in 2009. Clearly our academic efforts and initiatives are paying off.
I ask all of you to please spread the word to family and friends of the advantages of an Academy education. It takes all of us spreading the good news to recruit new students and families, who will enrich the already culturally diverse environment we’ve come to know as Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy.
