Catholic Identity in Independent Catholic Schools

The changing demographics of elementary Catholic education in the United States has fundamentally shifted the educational landscape. In response to some of these changes, independent Catholic schools have arisen as a viable alternative to the traditional parochial school. This study describes how independent Catholic schools adapt to the changing educational climate while aiming to develop a set of evidence-based recommendations for establishing, maintaining, and communicating Catholic identity. Through a qualitative study utilizing semi-structured interviews, certain implications arose from the research: leadership is critical to all areas, providing a proper orientation to all community members is significant, the school’s identity must be articulated and communicated, all programs and planning must be aligned with the mission and facilitate a context for learning, and opportunities for community celebrations and traditions should be created.|Keywords: Catholic identity, independent, leadership, education

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Melone, James

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Guetterman, Timothy C.

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10504/122597

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/122597