​​Celebrating Catholic Education in the Diocese of Tucson

It is that special time of year again – Catholic Schools Week – when Catholic school communities across the country celebrate the unique service and benefits Catholic schools provide students and families. In the Diocese of Tucson, our 23 Catholic schools serve about 6,700 students in preschool through high school. Our diverse schools, which span across six counties, include those located in our border communities, small towns and rural areas, mission schools, urban schools within the Tucson metro area, and those located in south Tucson.  Following are some frequently asked questions about our Catholic schools. I hope this information is helpful for anyone considering a Catholic education – “United in Faith and Community” – for their children. NCEA Catholic Schools Week  

 

 

Are there scholarship options to help pay the tuition? Yes We are fortunate in that the state of Arizona provides two different parental choice options. Contact any Catholic school or the Department of Catholic Schools for more information:   

Every K–12 student in Arizona is eligible to participate in the state's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, regardless of family income, where the student lives within the state, or the student's past academic performance. With the ESA program, the money that would pay for that student’s education in a neighborhood school follows that student to whichever school the parents choose for their child. 

    2.   Tax Credit scholarships CTSO-Tucson: 

Are Catholic schools in the Diocese of Tucson accredited? Yes! All of our Catholic schools are accredited by Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA) which accredits schools based on four Domains of Standards and Benchmarks: 

Do you have to be Catholic to attend? No; however, all students are taught daily in the Catholic faith and tradition. 

What curriculum is utilized in a Catholic school? All schools utilize Arizona State Standards; however, the selection of curriculum is determined at each school site due to the diversity of our schools that spans approximately 43,000 square miles within the diocese. 

Do Catholic school students take standardized assessments? Yes, our elementary students take the NWEA MAP assessment three times per year. Data analysis focuses on ensuring students meet or exceed projected growth especially in Reading, Language Arts, and Math. Our 8th graders take the High School Placement Test to gauge high school readiness. Our high school students take PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests. 

What is the enrollment landscape?  Enrollment in our 23 schools continues to increase, with some schools at or approaching capacity. It’s, therefore, critical to contact the school of your choice sooner rather than later to secure a spot for your children for the upcoming school year!