National Catholic Schools Week Underway Across Los Angeles County

Catholic Schools Week began Sunday and continues through Saturday with both in-person and virtual celebrations for students and their families, church members and the general public.

For a Parent’s Guide to National Catholic Schools Week in Los Angeles, click here

This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” Activities will include special masses, open houses and a variety of special activities for students.

Events are planned at local Catholic schools in Pasadena.

There are six within city limits: Saint Andrew Catholic School, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School, Mayfield Senior School of the Holy Child Jesus, Mayfield Junior School, La Salle High School, and St. Philip The Apostle School. Alverno Heights is just across the border in Sierra Madre.

Other noted area schools participating are Immaculate Heart, Flintridge Sacred Heart, and Ramona Convent Secondary School.

For the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which encompasses schools in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, the weeklong celebration will also recognize its success in growing the student population, responding to the coronavirus pandemic and planning for campus improvements.

“We have experienced a 2.6% systemwide increase in enrollment, academic performance growth and many of our schools have received grants to make facility improvements and add new academic programs for our students,” Senior Director and Superintendent of Catholic Schools Paul Escala said recently.

“While these have been challenging times due to the pandemic, our schools rose to the challenge by effectively transitioning to distance learning and then back to in-person classes safely. The success of our Catholic schools is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, staff and families.”

Escala said that during the pandemic, the Archdiocese worked with local public health departments to supply schools with more than 300,000 N95 and surgical masks, more than 40,000 rapid tests and provide access to on- campus testing.

During the weeklong celebration, members of the Archdiocese plan to recite special prayers for the nation’s wellbeing and honor teachers, parents, and essential workers. Students will participate in sports and team-building activities on campus and service activities in the community.

For parents, more information is available at https://catholicschoolsweekguide.com/