Catholic Schools Week 2024: Learn More About St. Agnes

Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week has been the yearly commemoration of Catholic education in the United States. Commencing on the last Sunday in January and extending throughout the week, the 2024 celebration spans from January 28 to February 3.

The designated theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2024 is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.” Participating schools typically mark this occasion with Masses, open houses, and various activities involving students, families, parishioners, and community members. These events aim to highlight the intrinsic value of Catholic education for young individuals and its broader contributions to our church, communities, and nation.

Education has always been vital to decision-making for every family and parent. With this week-long occasion, people can have a glimpse of the excellent standards, formation, programs, and teachings Catholic schools can offer.

Take a look at our guide for how you can get involved in this year’s celebration of Catholic schools!

Effortlessly and securely communicate the significance of National Catholic Schools Week by sharing the information through word of mouth or on various social media platforms.

Express your thoughts through videos, blogs, or posts to capture the attention of parents and families, and consider using the hashtag #NCSW to amplify the message.

Dive into the details of National Catholic Schools Week, mainly focusing on the various schools falling under this category. This week offers an excellent opportunity to gain insights into the event, as numerous activities and programs are scheduled.

Make the most of the week-long celebration by actively participating in the daily themes and activities. Immerse yourself in the educational programs and teachings showcased during this event if you are interested in the subject.

In a Dominican Catholic school like St. Agnes, students are challenged academically and grow through transformational experiences based on four pillars of living: prayer, study, community, and preaching. These pillars are the foundation of Dominican spirituality and charism.

Prayer is an essential part of education in a Dominican Catholic school. Students are encouraged to draw their minds toward their faith, incorporate prayer into their daily lives, and assume the responsibility to act on behalf of social justice in light of the Gospel.

Students, faculty, and staff often come together for Mass as a community and are given various prayer opportunities to foster and nourish their faith. Students also retreat together each year as a community – to connect with God and connect with one another.

In the Dominican Catholic faith, study is a way of looking at the world, seeing reality, and educating students in ways that will improve our world.

St. Agnes graduates often say they study with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Teachers are meant to cultivate the discipline of study and the love of learning in each student. The objective is to teach their students not what to think but how to think.

Former Head of School at St. Agnes Academy, Sr. Jane Meyer, O.P., said, “We want our students to be informed and critical in their thinking. Our classrooms are places for open, healthy dialogue. We all know we are in a critically historical time in our country, and our faculty are ready to address issues or tensions that arise. We always come from a position of listening to one another, learning from and with one another, and respecting one another.”

Teachers in a Dominican Catholic school are to challenge students to look at all sides of an issue, make decisions based on gospel values, and view study as a lifelong process.

Dominicans strive to build community and encourage and model collaboration at all levels. Community and collaboration are the hallmarks of a Dominican school. Community involves hospitality, mutual support, and sharing one another’s talents. Collaboration with others enriches the vision, energizes the mission, and strengthens each student.

Preaching is the heart of the Dominican vocation. One of the mottos of the Dominican Sisters of Houston is “to praise, to bless, and to preach.” St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach always, and if necessary, use words.”

Rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition, St. Agnes Academy challenges young women through exceptional academic preparation and transformational experiences to lead with integrity, joy, and a commitment to social justice.

 

If you are considering Christian education for your child, we encourage you to learn more about the benefits of a college preparatory school like St. Agnes.

 

A St. Agnes graduate witnesses Gospel values and lives veritas through word and deed. We challenge young women to grow into future leaders through exceptional academic preparation. We tailor our curriculum to each young woman's individual needs and learning styles that step onto our campus.

St. Agnes fosters a safe environment for learning so that students are comfortable asking questions, seeking knowledge, and celebrating life in a joyful, optimistic, and productive way.