The document is a letter from the Director of the Diocesan Office for Schools summarizing a strategic plan to strengthen Catholic schools in the Diocese of San Diego. It explains that a study commissioned by the former Bishop found declining enrollment, financial struggles, and a lack of collaboration between schools. The study included surveys and interviews with stakeholders. Key recommendations included developing a funding foundation, marketing Catholic education, reorganizing school governance, and strengthening the role of the Diocesan Office for Schools. The letter provides updates on implementing some of the recommendations, including partnerships to support schools and exploring a diocesan funding foundation.

1. September 1, 2014
Dear Friends of Catholic Schools,
It is always with great excitement that we open the doors to another school year. It is a time
when all things are made new. What remains the same is our mission. The work of Catholic
schools is ultimately a matter of maintaining the Church’s mission of building Christ’s Kingdom
of justice, love and peace, while continuing relevant, real-world instructional excellence in
meeting the needs of a 21st
-century world that is ever-changing. Catholic schools in San Diego
have always embraced the challenge.
In the summer of 2013, Bishop Flores commissioned a special Strategic Vision Committee to
study the organizational structures, policies and financial stability of our Catholic elementary
schools. The committee partnered with the University of San Diego to provide a thorough
study of the current state of the schools within our diocese. Surveys and interviews with various
stakeholders, including many of you, ensured an opportunity for your voice to be heard, for
your experiences to make a difference, and for your perspectives to be a part of the plan to
strengthen our schools. Thank you to all who participated.
The findings and recommendations of this study are provided in this supplemental insert to
The Southern Cross. While the value added to Catholic education should never change, I invite
you to join me in celebrating a newly articulated roadmap to success vetted by you, the People
of Christ in San Diego.
May God bless our children in mind, body and spiritual growth. I look forward to continuing
our work together in building a new vision for strengthening our Catholic schools in the
Diocese of San Diego.
In Mission,
John Galvan
Director, Diocesan Office for Schools
DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO
Office of Schools
We are grateful for the leadership of our faithfully departed Bishop Cirilo Flores and
his commitment to strengthening Catholic schools in the Diocese of San Diego.
John Galvan

2. STRATEGIC VISION
STATEMENT
COMMISSIONED BY
BISHOP CIRILO FLORES
Evangelizing children and their families is
one of the most vital ministries of our
Church. Catholic schools in the United
States have performed this function with
excellence for over a century. The role our
Catholic schools play in educating and
forming the faith of our children continues
to be valuable. Children in our Church
today will fill the most important roles in
leadership and ministry tomorrow as the
Church continues its outreach to the world.
For these reasons, Catholic schools must be
places where children are nurtured in all
aspects of mind, body and spiritual growth.
Our Catholic schools must be accessible to
children of all families no matter their race,
culture or economic condition. To that end,
and embracing the Church’s “preferential
option for the poor”, all Catholics and
Parishes, regardless of whether a local Parish
has a school, are responsible for the health
and growth of this important ministry of
our Church.

3. What is Happening
IN OUR
Catholic Schools?
Faced with declining enrollment and the closure of
Catholic schools throughout the Diocese, Bishop Cirilo
Flores commissioned the Strategic Vision Committee
for Catholic Elementary Schools in the summer of 2013.
The Committee was tasked with developing a better
understanding of the growing issues and challenges
faced by local Catholic schools, including the steady
decline of school enrollment and the closure of three local
Catholic K-8 schools. The nine month study centered on
providing a voice to Diocesan stakeholders and focused on reviewing the literature on
national trends in Catholic schools. Findings of the study are illustrated on the following pages.
RESEARCH INCLUDED
a review of literature on
Catholic schools and
conducting online surveys
and interviews with over
2,000 stakeholders
PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED
1,500+ parents/grandparents/
patrons; 57% of pastors;
88% of principals; and
30% teachers
The overarching theme is the lack of a cohesive collective of Catholic
schools working in collaboration to educate children in our Diocese.
PURPOSE OF STUDY
• Understand national trends in
Catholic school education
• Understand the current state of
Catholic schools in the Diocese
• Understanding of supports and
challenges to Catholic schools
• Understand future sustainability
needs and changes
Diocese of San Diego
STRENGTHENING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO

4. COMPETITION BETWEEN SCHOOLS
exceeds the collaboration between schools
QUALITY
LEADERSHIP
is integral to
the success of
individual
schools and the
school system
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
between diocesan schools and
the University of San Diego
LACK OF
DIOCESAN-WIDE
school processes, systems,
programs and protocols
DECLINING ENROLLMENT
is a major challenge
based on a series of
socioeconomic factors
STRUGGLES WITH
FINANCIAL STABILITY
negatively impacts
individual schools
health and success
Families seek a school
ENVIRONMENT OF HIGH
QUALITY ACADEMICS
infused in the faith
FINDINGS REC
Limited professional DEVELOPMENT AND
COLLABORATION for teachers and administrators

5. COMMUNICATE this research process to all stakeholders
Solidify the MISSION AND VISION for the future of Catholic schools
PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE the
value of teachers, admimistrators,
pastors and
volunteers
INCREASE PROGRAM
OFFERINGS for students
and families
Provide effective
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
for teachers and administrators
CONTINUE TO RESEARCH,
collect data, and make evidence-
based decisions
BUILD STRONG PARTNERSHIPS
with BOTH
Catholic
universities
in San Diego
SUPPORT TEACHERS
with a salary
schedule and reduced
tuition rates for their kids
Develop a diocese-wide
mandatory FINANCIAL
SUPPORT system for schools
Effectively address schools
in LOW RESOURCE AREAS
that are near closure
Implement a diocese-wide
MARKETING CAMPAIGN
for Catholic education
Centralize supplies
and resources to
CUT OPERATING COSTS
ADDRESS
TUITION
ISSUES
by setting
diocese-wide
protocols for
rates/increases
COMMENDATIONS
• Develop a FUNDING FOUNDATION to financially
support schools and families in need
• CREATE A CENTER in the foundation to provide
development and support to schools
• REORGANIZE SCHOOL GOVERNANCE from a parochial
system to networks of schools
• Make SIGNIFICANT CHANGES to the ROLE and
AUTHORITY of the Office for Schools

6. DIOCESE
OF SAN DIEGO
About the Research: The study was made possible thanks to the generosity of Terry and Barbara Caster. The research was lead by Research
Associate Dr. John J. Franey and conducted by the Center for Education Policy and Law (CEPAL), a research entity operating under the aus-
pices of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences and the School of Law at the University of San Diego. CEPAL’s mission is to foster
better linkage between educational research, policymaking, and practice. To this end, CEPAL undertakes empirical and legal research on
educational policy issues, enhances communication between education leaders and state-level policymakers, and facilitates understanding
among USD law students and education graduate students about the policymaking process through courses, internships, and research op-
portunities. Additional information about CEPAL is available at www.sandiego.edu/cepal.
93%
Who Had
What to Say?
Satisfied with overall
Catholic school experience
PARENTS WITH CHILDREN
CURRENTLY ATTENDING
OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
PARENTS WITH CHILDREN
WHO USED TO ATTEND
OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
86%
Were happy with the
Catholic school experience 50%
Child attends parish
religious ed programs 43%
Open to the
possibility of returning 26%
Satisfied with the quality
of the Catholic teachings 84%
Effectively developing
my child’s Catholic identity 83%
Satisfied with the quality
of the academics
Average Annual
Cost per Pupil for
K-8 Schools
81%
93%
$5,008Average K-8’s Operational
Cost Increase per Pupil
Over the Last Decade
52%Million Average
Operational Cost per
K-8 School
K-8’s that Experienced
a Decline in Enrollment
Over the Last Decade
$1.3 72%
COST OF ATTENDANCE
STAKEHOLDERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR RESEARCH
CITED A REASON NOT TO SEND KIDS TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL IS...
Diocese of San Diego

7. The following displays were developed
from our survey responses. The size of
word represents the response frequency.
For example, larger words mean higher
response from participants.
A Road Map to Success
What Should
NEVER CHANGE
about Catholic schools in our Diocese
Reasons Why Parents
SEND THEIR KIDS
to Catholic schools in our Diocese

8. STRENGTHENING
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN SAN DIEGO
Progress Report based on Recommendations
What we are doing...
What's in progress...
Communicate this entire research process to all stakeholders
An executive summary is made available at www.diocese-sdiego.org/usdresearch and has been distributed
to our stakeholders via this issue of The Southern Cross newspaper.
Solidify the mission and vision for the future of Catholic schools
Please see our the strategic vision statement on page two.
Effectively address schools in low-resource areas that are on the precipice of closure
and provide effective professional development to teachers and administrators
The diocese has partnered with the CSJ Educational Network, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, to offer a
peer leadership program to six of our schools in need. The cohort based program will offer support necessary to design and
implement marketing and development strategies to enhance fundraising capabilities.
Build strong partnerships with both Catholic universities in San Diego
The Office for Schools is collaborating with USD’s School of Education and Leadership Sciences to support one of our
elementary schools in need and exploring ways to work with John Paul the Great Catholic University.
Centralize supplies and resources to cut operating costs
The diocesan Offices of Schools, Finance, and Human Resources have established a working group to assist our schools in
need with budget constraints.
Develop a Diocese-wide mandatory financial support system for Catholic schools
The diocese currently provides $400,000 to support schools in need through our Annual Catholic Appeal and is exploring
ways to increase the level of support.
Develop a funding foundation to financially support schools and families in need
The diocese has created a working group to create the San Diego Catholic Education Foundation.
Implement a Diocese-wide marketing campaign for Catholic education
The Office for Schools is developing a diocesan marketing commission comprised of marketing
professionals and educators to design a plan.
Reorganize the governance of schools from a parochial system to networks of schools
The Office for Schools is developing a diocesan governance commission comprised of educators and industry
experts to explore structures/models for governance.
Make significant changes to the role of the Office for Schools
The new director for the Office for Schools has embarked on a diocesan-wide listening tour,
meeting with all stakeholders to gain more valuable insights. If you feel your voice has not been
heard, please contact him by email at jgalvan@diocese-sdiego.org.
LEARN MORE
Visit our website at
www.diocese-sdiego.org/usdresearch
to download a copy of the
executive summary.
SUPPORT CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Investing in Catholic education is vital to the future of our
Church. If you would like to support our mission go to
www.diocese-sdiego.org/bishopfloresfund or contact
Damian J. Esparza, Director, Office for Development at
858-490-8294 or desparza@diocese-sdiego.org