Diocesan schools have been recognized eight times with the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Honor GARDEN GROVE, CALIF. (Jan. 27, 2016) – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange will again open all of its 41 highly acclaimed faith based schools throughout Orange County to future students and their families during National Catholic Schools Week which will take place from January 31 through February 6, 2016. National Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of parochial education that allows families to learn more about Catholic education. In an era of dwindling resources and elective offerings, diocesan and parish schools provide a lower student-to-teacher ratio, fine arts programs, community service, physical education, before/after school care and above average student achievement. They also offer a strong formation in the Christian discipleship. The theme for the National Catholic Schools Week 2016 is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” “Diocesan schools have maintained a well-rounded curriculum including many unique programs that are not offered in other school systems. We feel that religious education and dedication to community service are essential elements in a young student’s development. Parochial education offers exceptional educational outcomes and instills a strong sense of civic responsibility in its students and faculty. We have a proven record of success and boast a high school graduation rate considerably higher than comparable institutions,” said Gregory Dhuyvetter, superintendent of catholic schools, Diocese of Orange. According to the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), a standardized test measuring the skills and achievement of students from kindergarten through 8th grade, Diocese of Orange students rank in the top third in the nation. Nearly every one of the more than 19,000 students currently enrolled in OC Catholic Schools will eventually graduate from High School, according to historic system trends. In addition, an astonishing 97% percent of these graduates will move on to higher education. Eight OC Catholic schools have attained the highest US Department of Education distinction through the No Child Left Behind Act-Blue Ribbon School Program. This federal program honors public and private K-12 schools that are either academically superior in their states or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. Private schools are nominated for this prestigious award by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE). These recognized schools include: Mission Parish School in San Juan Capistrano, Santa Margarita High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, Our Lady Queen of Angels School in Newport Beach, St. Edward the Confessor School in Dana Point, St. Cecilia School in Tustin, St. Bonaventure School in Huntington Beach, Serra Catholic School in Rancho Santa Margarita and St. Anne in Laguna Niguel. “We are blessed to have been recognized eight times by the US Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon winners for academic performance and dramatic gains in student achievement. We are very proud of our students, teachers and parents and look forward to continued growth and academic success,” said Dhuyvetter. The Office of Faith Formation within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange provides Catholic school options that are dynamic, inclusive, diverse, and academically challenging – all with a foundation in Catholic teachings. Established in 1976, the Diocese of Orange encompasses 59 parishes and three Catholic centers serving the more than 1.5 million Catholics in Orange County. All schools in the diocese are full-term accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA). National Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association and the United Conference of Catholic Bishops for the nation’s 7,800 catholic schools. For more information on events and individual schools please contact the Office of Faith Formation at 714-282-3065 or visit www.occatholicschools.org. Catholic Schools Week Open Houses:

• Blessed Sacrament School – Jan. 31, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Christ Cathedral Academy – Jan. 31, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Holy Family Cathedral School – Jan. 31, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Jserra Catholic High School – Contact school
• Mission Basilica School – Jan. 31, 10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Our Lady of Fatima Parish School – Jan. 31, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Our Lady of Guadalupe School – Jan. 31, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Serra Catholic School – Jan. 31, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• St. Angela Merici School – Jan. 31, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• St. Anne Parish School Santa Ana – Contact school
• St. Barbara School – Jan. 31, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• St. Bonaventure Catholic School – Jan. 31, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• St. Catherine of Siena Parish School – Feb. 4, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
• St. Cecilia School – Jan. 31, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• St. Columban School – Jan. 31, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School – Jan 31, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• St. Hedwig School – Feb. 4, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
• St. Irenaeus Parish School – Jan. 31, 1 – 3 p.m.
• St. Jeanne de Lestonnac School – Feb. 5, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• St. Joachim School – Jan. 31, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• St. John the Baptist Catholic School – Jan. 31, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• St. Joseph School Placentia – Jan. 31, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• St. Joseph School Santa Ana – Feb. 21, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• St. Juliana Falconieri School – Jan. 31, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• St. Justin Martyr School – Jan. 31, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• St. Pius V Catholic School – Jan. 31, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• St. Polycarp School – Jan. 31, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Sts. Simon & Jude School – Jan. 31, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.