Catholic Schools Week is a wonderful time to reflect on our Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte.
Our schools continue to be outstanding institutions, where our students can deepen their faith, expand their knowledge base and pursue areas of personal interest via a wide variety of co-curricular activities. Concurrently with these pursuits, students learn to give of themselves by being of service to others. Collectively, students in our 19 schools give more than 50,000 hours of service each year to a wide variety of parish and community organizations. That is certainly a very tangible way our students live the Gospel values they learn.
When looking at our students’ performance on a variety of assessment measures, it is evident they score above the national and local averages. Our three high schools continue to enjoy a 100 percent graduation rate, with 98 percent of our graduates going on to higher education. As a system, all levels of instruction, from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, can rightfully share in these outstanding statistics because every level of instruction helps develop our young people.
These quantitative measures are helpful because they provide concrete evidence of students' success. However, the true measure of our success will not be revealed solely via test scores, but rather seen when walking the halls or grounds of our schools.
A look into any of our classrooms shows students who are ready to learn and focused on success – not only as students but also as members of the community. Our administrators and teachers work diligently to create positive learning environments, but it is the students who capitalize on these by bringing to their studies a sense of respect, a sense of purpose and a strong work ethic – qualities first learned in the home.
However, it is perhaps what our students do when motivated solely by their own sense of right that most clearly brings to life the lessons learned in our schools. Recently, a group of second-graders at one of our schools was enjoying some time outside, when, on their own, they gathered around and began to pray the rosary. Not too long ago, a group of our high school students met at a local library to study. Their behavior was so impressive that a library patron took the time to write a note of commendation to the principal. The behavior our students exhibit, when they think no one is watching, speaks volumes about who they are and reflects the true value of a Catholic education.
Catholic Schools Week is also the perfect opportunity to thank the many people who support our schools in so many ways. Among these are our clergy, members of our various school boards, PTO volunteers and community members who share their time and expertise with us.
I also would like to thank our parents, who put their faith in our schools and entrust us with their children. The financial sacrifices you make to provide your children with the gift of a Catholic education is recognized and appreciated. I thank you for your continued dedication to our schools.
Dr. Janice Ritter is superintendent of the Diocese of Charlotte schools system.
HUNTERSVILLE — Brendan Keane has stepped down as principal at Christ the King High School, and Assistant Principal Michael Smith has been named interim principal for the remainder of this academic year.
Keane had served as principal of the Huntersville school since June 2014.
Citing the desire to spend more time with his family, Keane left to start a new job Jan. 23 as co-director of the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy in North Carolina. He had already worked with EIRA as a regional coach for the Carolinas since 2013, and as an U16s head coach in 2015 and as an U17s head coach in 2016.
"After much thought and prayer, and with regret, I have decided to step down as the principal of Christ the King Catholic High School at the end of the first semester," Keane told parents in a Jan. 10 letter.
"The past few years serving the community at CTK have been the highlight of my career in education. The parents, students, faculty, staff, and supporters of Christ the King are second to none in your endeavor to create a community pursuing an excellent and holistic educational experience for everyone involved. The willingness of each of you to try something new and step out on the edge to create not only a school, but also athletic teams, clubs, support organizations, plays, musicals and a myriad of other programs is inspiring and humbling. So too is the generosity with which members of the community give their time, talents, and treasure to support the school in its mission and growth. I will never be able to thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to get to know you, to see your passions, and to be part of the amazing work going on at CTK," he wrote.
Christ the King High School has about 230 students, making it the smallest of the Diocese of Charlotte's three high schools. It opened in a temporary location in Mooresville in 2011 and moved to its current 100-acre location just outside Huntersville in 2013 to serve the growing Catholic population north of Charlotte. The school graduated its first senior class in 2015.
The Diocese of Charlotte schools office aims to appoint a new principal before the start of the next academic year, Dr. Janice Ritter, superintendent, said.
"I am confident we will find a leader who can build on the great foundation which has been laid these past few years," Ritter wrote in a letter to parents. "I know Mr. Keane takes with him the good wishes of the CTK stakeholders, and likewise Mr. Smith will have the support of those same stakeholders. I am confident the students, staff and parents of CTK will continue to be the strong community it has shown itself to be and will work together during this transition."
— Catholic News Herald