Several activities set for Catholic Schools Week

Catholic education combines academic excellence, faith and teaching that helps develop well-rounded students, Dr. Pattie Davis, superintendent  of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, said.

Davis’ comments came on the eve of Catholic Schools Week, scheduled nationally Jan. 29-Feb. 4. The annual weeklong celebration is not only an opportunity for the diocese to celebrate Catholic schools but also for all 30 schools to honor distinguished graduates.

“We are just celebrating our contributions,” said Davis, who is in her first year as superintendent. “We say we educate the whole student: body, mind and spirit. We actually do that.”

Davis pointed to historical data showing 99% of Catholic students in the diocese graduate from high school and 85% earn a college degree. But graduation rates and academic achievements are only part of the story, Davis said. She is perhaps most proud of the quality of individual graduates.

“We do prepare them to be students with deep faith and moral foundation,” she said. “We set high standards. We teach children to be respectful and to be prepared to  be productive citizens in the world.

“The contribution of Catholic education is evidenced in the citizens and their service back to the community.”

Davis said the backbone of Catholic education is the close relationships forged with the students, family and parents.

“We are very relational,” she said. “We partner with the family, working with faith and academics to bring excellence into that child’s world.”
She also touched on how deeply rooted Catholic education is in many families. She said students may be attending the same school as his or her grandparent or in some instances even great-grandparents.

“And whether or not you are Catholic, you are always welcome through that door,” said Davis, who has spent more than 30 years in Catholic education. “And I always loved that.

“We evangelize in our faith and invite people to come in and be a part of our faith.”

She said that’s the strength of Catholic schools and the community can see the results in the way students live out their daily lives and go on to be productive as adults.

“The unique thing about Catholic schools is we can bring this relationship and faith formation where other schools may not be able to bring to their everyday life,” Davis said.

She pinpointed service to others as what separates Catholic schools from others. During the 2022-23 school year, the 14,000-plus diocesan students combined for more than 115,000 service hours, assisting others in a number of ways.

“I think we do that better than any other schools,” she said. “We’ve always valued that. I see other schools, public and charter, are involved with service because they have  seen what we have done and have known all along it is part of living our faith.”

Davis said students are being developed in their faith from day one, when learning about faith at the age-appropriate level. She said that foundation is continual from pre-K through 12th grade.

Davis said students are taught the importance of the teachings of Christ, most importantly that all people are created equal. By doing so, she said, students appreciate the diversity of people and recognize the cultures of the world.

“We know that every child is unique and loved by God,” Davis said. “And we can find and encourage each child to reach their individual potential because we value them.”

A number of activities are scheduled throughout Catholic Schools Week, highlighted by the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass scheduled Feb. 1 at 10 a.m., at St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge. The annual Distinguished Graduates dinner kicks off the week of Jan. 30.

Davis has also added her own personal touch to the week. A jazz band from St. Michael the Archangel Diocesan High School in Baton Rouge and the band representing St. Elizabeth School in Paincourtville will perform at the Catholic Life Center on Feb. 3.

Also included  that day will be the serving of the ever-popular king cakes.

“This is letting the people at the Catholic Life Center see part of the ministry of these schools and here is what they are doing,” Davis said. “We are joining hands with them that day.”