E S TA B L I S H E D 1 9 5 6
BUILDING ON A LEGACY
2016 – 2019 STRATEGIC PLAN
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION Joseph M. Tweed
William Martin ‘64
Fr. Peter Clarke
Theodore Gaffney ‘82
President Principal
Sr. Jeanne Agans Vice Principal
MISSION STATEMENT
Christine McGovern Dean of Students
DePaul Catholic High School is a co-educational diocesan college preparatory high school whose mission is to foster the spiritual, intellectual, physical and social growth of its students. DePaul Catholic enables all students to deepen their faith by teaching the doctrine and traditions of the Catholic Church, by strengthening their sense of social justice and societal responsibility, and by helping students to form a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The school community also develops young men and women from varying backgrounds into skilled, compassionate citizens and leaders who respect the dignity of all people and are willing to meet the challenges of a complex global society.
Fr. Michael Lee Chaplain
Joseph Lennon
Director of Athletics
Maureen O’Connor
Director of Development
John Merritt
Director of Enrollment
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Eileen Burke Jason Cullari, ‘01
Susan Guggenheim Gloor, ‘81 William Westdyk James Wolf, ‘94 Christopher Zraly, ‘82 Fr. Paul Manning Kenneth Marshall, ‘81 Brian Mulhall, ‘84 Dennis Murray Robert Niemiec Christa Hoeher Reddy, Esq., ‘72 Martin Vergara, ‘01 Joan Waks, Esq.
F A I T H
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C O M M U N I T Y
Board Member
Christopher Zraly ‘82 Board Member
Martin Vergera ‘01 Board Member
Joseph M. Tweed President
Kenneth Jennings Past-Principal
Sr. Jeanne Agans Vice Principal
Director of Development
Kathy Bekker, PP William Martin, ‘64, Chair
Theodore Gaffney, ‘82
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Chair, Board of Trustees
Maureen O’Connor P ‘20
Gerard Donnelly, ‘72
S C H O L A R S H I P
STRATEGIC PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE
Mary Baier, Ex-Officio Member Joseph M. Tweed, Ex-Officio Member
Business Manager
John Galka
Director of Guidance
Christine McGovern ‘90 Dean of Students
Jody Ponzo
English Teacher
Antoinette Galdo Math Teacher
Judy Gorski ‘75 , PP ‘09, ‘15, Art Teacher
William Hart, P ‘17 Michael McGourty, PP ‘16, P’19, ‘20 Michele Pagliei, PP ‘15
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Introduction
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National Standards for Effective Catholic Schools Seven Goal Statements & Strategic Initiatives
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Catholic Identity
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Academic Excellence
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Student Life
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Enrollment & Strategic Marketing
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Institutional Advancement
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Facilities & Campus Infrastructure
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Governance & Financial Planning
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Profile of a DePaul Catholic Graduate
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Acknowledgment
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DePaul Difference
Dear Members of the DePaul Catholic Family, It is with a tremendous sense of gratitude and pride that we present our new three-year Strategic Plan Building on a Legacy to you. This blueprint for the future represents the work of trustees, administration, faculty, students, parents, support staff and alumni. We are deeply thankful to have had the opportunity to work with so many talented people who freely contributed their time and talent to the creation of this strategic document. Given DePaul Catholic’s successful history and significant institutional accomplishments, one could imagine it being challenging to chart a course for the next few years. As we thought strategically during this past year, our purpose became clear…to develop a meaningful working plan that reflects both our Catholic Identity and our desire to provide a rigorous and relevant Catholic college preparatory education. Building on 60 years of tradition and excellence, this strategic document ensures that DePaul Catholic continues to inspire students to grow in faith and a love of learning, while serving as a model of a mission-driven, program effective, well-managed and responsibly governed Catholic high school. Beginning in March of 2015 and using the National Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools that are outlined by the National Catholic Education Association, a detailed survey was created and distributed to the community at large. Each stakeholder was given the opportunity to evaluate DePaul Catholic and from this document our vision for our future and the following institutional themes were established.
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Catholic Identity ■ Institutional Advancement Academic Excellence ■ Facilities & Campus Infrastructure Student Life ■ Governance & Financial Planning Enrollment & Strategic Marketing
In this strategic plan, we commit our energies to seven vision statements that define the school’s areas of strength, and a strategy and action plan created by faculty, staff, students and stakeholders in areas ready for expansion. These innovations will ensure that DePaul Catholic continues to distinguish itself as an institution of quality, Catholic education. We recognize that our efforts will not be without challenge; thus our planning document is a flexible one, allowing us to be responsive to those challenges while still adhering to the plan’s goals. After a full year of reflection, survey, and thoughtful discussion we are confident that we have prepared a living and breathing document that will help guide our work for the next three years. The strategic plan reaffirms DePaul Catholic as a place dedicated to cultivating and promoting academic excellence in an environment immersed in Gospel values, integrating this commitment seamlessly into all facets of the school. We approach this work knowing that our success is dependent upon gathering old and new partners alike who wish to imagine our future. John Adams once said that “if your actions inspire others to learn more, do more, dream more and become more then you are a leader.” Building on a Legacy is our leader, guiding us on a pathway to further excellence in Scholarship, Faith and Community. On behalf of the Strategic Planning Committee, the faculty, staff and administration we trust that you are excited about DePaul Catholic’s future and all that it holds for our amazing students and the community of Spartans we serve. St. Vincent DePaul...Pray For Us! William Martin, ‘64 Chair, Board of Trustees
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Joseph M. Tweed, M.S.Ed President
SUCCESS does not happen by chance BUT RATHER
BY CHOICE. We are excited about the promise and potential of DePaul Catholic as evidenced through the results of this strategic planning process.
“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” -Abraham Lincoln
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NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR EFFECTIVE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS The National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools indicates that Catholic schools, in collaboration with parents and guardians as the primary educators, seek to educate the whole child while providing an excellent education rooted in Catholic values. The document also states that Catholic schools are a vital part of the teaching mission of the Church and it is imperative that Catholic schools provide an excellent academic program within a faith-filled environment. As defined by the document, an excellent Catholic school adheres to the following 13 Standards and these served as our benchmarks for the creation of the strategic plan. The Standards include:
MISSION AND CATHOLIC IDENTIY
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE 7. An excellent Catholic school has a clearly articulated, rigorous curriculum aligned with relevant standards, 21st Century skills, and Gospel values, implemented through effective instruction. 8. An excellent Catholic school uses school-wide assessment methods and practices to document student learning and program effectiveness, to make student performances transparent, and to inform the continuous review of the curriculum and the improvement of instructional practices. 9. An excellent Catholic school provides programs and services aligned with the mission to enrich the academic program and support the development of student and family life.
1. An excellent Catholic school is guided and driven by a clearly communicated mission that embraces a Catholic identity rooted in Gospel values, centered on the Eucharist, and committed to faith formation, academic excellence, and service. 2. An excellent Catholic school adhering to mission provides a rigorous academic program for religious studies and catechesis in the Catholic faith, set within a total academic curriculum that integrates faith, culture, and life.
OPERATIONAL VITALITY 10. An excellent Catholic school provides a feasible three to five year financial plan that includes both current and projected budgets and is the result of a collaborative process, emphasizing faithful stewardship.
3. An excellent Catholic school adhering to mission provides opportunities outside the classroom for student faith formation, participation in liturgical and communal prayer, and action in service of social justice.
11. An excellent Catholic school operates in accord with published human resource/personnel policies, developed in compliance with (arch) diocesan policies and/or religious congregation sponsorship policies, which affect all staff (clergy, religious women and men, laity and volunteers) and provide clarity for responsibilities, expectations, and accountability.
4. An excellent Catholic school adhering to mission provides opportunities for adult faith formation and action in service of social justice.
12. An excellent Catholic school develops and maintains a facilities, equipment, and technology management plan designed to continuously support the implementation of the educational mission of the school.
GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP
13. An excellent Catholic school enacts a comprehensive plan for institutional advancement based on a compelling mission through communications, marketing, enrollment management, and development.
5. An excellent Catholic school has a governing body (person or persons) which recognizes and respects the role(s) of the appropriate and legitimate authorities, and exercises responsible decision making (authoritative, consultative, advisory) in collaboration with the leadership team for development and oversight of the school’s fidelity to mission, academic excellence, and operational vitality.
(Ozar, L. A., & Weitzel-O’Neill, P. (Eds.). (2012). National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools. Chicago, IL: Loyola University Chicago, Center for Catholic School Effectiveness.)
6. An excellent Catholic school has a qualified leader/leadership team empowered by the governing body to realize and implement the school’s mission and vision.
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CATHOLIC IDENTITY
LARGE ENOUGH TO CHALLENGE, SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE
DePAUL CATHOLIC WILL CULTIVATE A CHRIST-CENTERED COMMUNITY, ROOTED IN GOSPEL VALUES AND TEACHINGS, THAT INSTILLS A LIFE-LONG COMMITMENT TO FAITH AND SERVICE. STRATEGY ■ Expand and Celebrate DePaul’s Culture of Service ■ Enhance Campus Ministry Program to celebrate student involvement ■ Expand relationship with local Pastors, creating opportunities for liturgy, service, and celebration of the sacraments
ACTION PLAN ■ Increase number of local service trips conducted each year ■ Partner with our local Catholic elementary schools allowing for our youth ministers to share their faith with younger students ■ Create off-campus retreat experiences for all grades ■ Integrate a service component into our athletic programs ■ Invigorate our Youth Group through student-led initiatives ■ Increase spirituality programs for Parents, Students, Staff, Alumni and Greater Community that foster a deeper relationship with God ■ Partner with Pastors to provide grade-level and parish specific Masses on campus ■ Continue to add symbols of our faith throughout campus ■ Grow music ministry program to include instrumental and vocal offerings
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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
C O M M U N I T Y
DePAUL CATHOLIC WILL LEAD THE WAY AS A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE WITH CURRICULUM AND PROGRAMS THAT REFLECT THE MISSION OF THE SCHOOL, AND ENSURE THAT EACH GRADUATE IS PREPARED TO EXCEL IN COLLEGE AND BEYOND. STRATEGY ■ Attract and retain a high quality faculty ■ Continue to develop and grow a curriculum that prepares students with 21st Century skills and meets the needs of our student population ■ Improve standardized test performance and use this data to aid instruction ■ Strive to become a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by 2020 ■ Expand Professional Development Program for faculty to insure best teaching practices
ACTION PLAN ■ Provide a highly personalized college and academic guidance program that begins in 8th grade ■ Increase and communicate S.T.R.E.A.M curriculum to include expansion of Engineering Program ■ Expand curriculum to include a senior project/thesis as a year long course ■ Articulate Alliance of Catholic Education (ACE) curriculum and AdvancEd Accreditation to all stakeholders and how these standards are implemented ■ Explore adding a Learning Support Program to assist with our students’ various learning needs ■ Partner with Caldwell University to create Dual-Accreditation Program allowing DePaul students to earn college credit ■ Utilize Distance and Online Learning platforms to enhance instruction and broaden curriculum offerings ■ Review daily academic schedule to insure alignment with peer schools and sound educational practice ■ Create a three-year instructional technology plan with implementation strategies and hardware needs ■ Add Academic Honor Societies in each subject area, offering additional ways to recognize and celebrate our students ■ Expand offerings in the fields of communications and broadcasting by forming partnerships with our local community
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STUDENT LIFE
LARGE ENOUGH TO CHALLENGE, SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE
DePAUL CATHOLIC PROMOTES EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS AND SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES THAT SUPPORT OUR MISSION TO DEVELOP THE WHOLE CHILD. STRATEGY ■ Continue to create a student-centered culture offering a diversity of leadership activities ■ Create and implement a 3 year plan for the growth of the student government ■ Expand the activity program to better meet the interests of our students and faculty while helping each student strengthen his/her resume for college ■ Develop a long-term vision for the athletic program and the scholar-athlete ■ Building on tradition, ignite school spirit within our community so that it extends to all activities and programs
ACTION PLAN ■ Expand offerings in the fine and performing arts through the addition of a cappella, string orchestra, expanded music ministry and growth of theater program ■ Expand internship program to include work completed during the school-day ■ Add celebrations of service, leadership and commitment to excellence to our daily, weekly, and monthly program ■ Continue to provide a safe environment for our students by strongly encouraging participation in Stand Tall and SafeStudent Programs ■ Establish a Student-Faculty Honor and Ethics Board ■ Incorporate the Covenant of Honor and Respect fully into our discipline program involving faculty, students and parents in this important work ■ Develop additional opportunities for students to showcase and be recognized for their academic, artistic, musical, and athletic talents ■ Partner with local service organizations and Wayne Township to increase relationships within our community ■ Institute a quarterly speaker series that addresses the social, moral, and academic realities facing students today
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ENROLLMENT AND STRATEGIC MARKETING
C O M M U N I T Y
DePAUL CATHOLIC WILL ATTRACT AND ENROLL FAMILIES WHO SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATE IN OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN SCHOLARSHIP, FAITH AND COMMUNITY, SUSTAINING OUR GROWTH AND LONG-TERM FISCAL VIABILITY. STRATEGY ■ Provide a highly personalized admissions process whereby each family is known and DePaul’s culture is shared ■ Continue to explore ways to make Catholic education affordable and the value proposition realized ■ Sustain a high school enrollment of 600 each year ■ Expand 8th grade prep to a full middle school program consisting of sixty students and three grades. ■ Continue to solidify a unified and consistent Visual Brand and Branding Message within the internal and external communities ■ By 2020, become the premiere regional Catholic coed college preparatory high school serving Wayne and Northern New Jersey
ACTION PLAN ■ Update and share with all constituency groups the yearly marketing plan ■ Continue to maintain a vibrant and detailed website and push all traffic to it ■ Partner with local media and Wayne TV to facilitate educating the community about DePaul Catholic and sharing the successes of our students ■ Develop and distribute surveys to prospective and current families , as well as alums to assest progress and performance ■ Target social media, print, and referral marketing to a demographic and geographic profile that meets the needs of school ■ Re-shape our Spartan for a Day Program so that each student has a similar experience, including a student and parent interview ■ Gather testimonials from parents and students and share with community ■ Use website, google and social media analytics to guide/shape marketing strategy
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INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
LARGE ENOUGH TO CHALLENGE, SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE
DePAUL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL IS COMMITTED TO SECURING AND MANAGING THE RESOURCES THAT ARE NECESSARY IN SUPPORTING THE SCHOOL’S VISION OF THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN SCHOLARSHIP, FAITH AND COMMUNITY. THIS WILL BE DONE BY THE STRENGTHENING AND NURTURING OF PHILANTHROPIC RELATIONSHIPS WITH EXISTING MEMBERS OF THE DePAUL CATHOLIC COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THE IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO DePAUL CATHOLIC. STRATEGY ■ Expand DePaul Catholic’s relationships and partnerships with the greater community ■ Increase alumni engagement ■ Continue to build a culture of philanthropy throughout the DePaul Catholic community
ACTION PLAN ■ Work collaboratively with the Facilities and Finance Committee in the establishment of a three year advancement plan to address the capital needs of the institution ■ Increase production and outreach with the expansion of the Advancement Staff ■ Focus on the growth of scholarship funds ■ Create the DePaul Catholic High School Alumni Association ■ Expand and strengthen the Board Development Committee and the Annual Fund Committee ■ Initiate a Class Giving Program ■ Educate the current students on the need to give back by introducing a Senior Giving Program ■ Continue educating the DePaul Catholic community on the importance of philanthropy via “Coffee with the President”, alumni gatherings and through individual cultivation meetings with the President, Board members and Advancement Staff ■ Begin to educate the DePaul Catholic community on Planned Giving in preparation for an endowment campaign
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FACILITIES AND CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE
C O M M U N I T Y
DePAUL CATHOLIC WILL MAINTAIN FACILITIES AND GROUNDS THAT REFLECT OUR CATHOLIC IDENTITY, MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY, ARE SAFE AND SECURE, AND ARE COMPETITIVE WITH THE BEST HIGH SCHOOLS IN NORTH JERSEY. STRATEGY ■ Develop a 10 year plan to address facilities needs in the Academic Program, Cafeteria, Arts, and Athletics ■ Improve the communication capabilities between classroom and main office ■ Continue to improve the safety and security of our school ■ Explore opportunities to increase Gift in Kind Program to help make needed campus improvements while reducing costs and increasing parent participation ■ Develop a 3-year “Green Initiatives” plan to be implemented in 2017
ACTION PLAN ■ Install additional security cameras throughout school and property ■ Add Safety film to the glass of all exterior doors ■ Turn the “LINK” into a more defined space suitable for receptions and campus functions ■ Continue to upgrade technology infrastructure insuring every classroom has the same hardware and meets the needs of the teacher and students ■ Complete a space utilization survey in 2016-2017 with particular focus on Science labs, theater, music, and athletic facilities ■ Reduce the use of paper by 10% each of the next 3 years, expanding our use of technology in the classroom ■ Survey student and parent community as it relates to cafeteria and striving to provide healthy choices for our students ■ Successfully integrate and transition to new Student and Learning Management Systems in 2016 ■ Form a student-faculty committee to address “Green Initiatives”
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GOVERNANCE AND FINANCIAL PLANNING
LARGE ENOUGH TO CHALLENGE, SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE
THE ADMINISTRATION AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF DePAUL CATHOLIC, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DIOCESE OF PATERSON, WILL CONTINUE TO ENSURE BEST GOVERNANCE PRACTICES, ADHERENCE TO OUR MISSION, AND RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF RESOURCES. STRATEGY ■ Diversify Board of Trustees to maximize the strength and productivity of Board Committee work ■ Strengthen Board Involvement in the life of the school ■ Create a 5 year fiscal plan that guides our work and supports long-term stability and growth
ACTION PLAN ■ Create a yearly Board Retreat Program to build culture and teamwork ■ Elect new Board Officers and regularly review the By-Laws of DePaul Catholic with the entire Board ■ Work with Parents’ Association on by-laws and increased involvement in the life of DePaul beyond fundraising ■ Develop a governance structure with by-laws for all Booster Clubs at DePaul Catholic ■ Use Strategic Plan to guide the work of the Board ■ Review Policy and Procedure as established by Diocese of Paterson to ensure growth and compliance ■ Create a 5 year tuition management projection ■ Continue to find new revenue streams to sustain enrollment and growth to the school’s programs and facility
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PROFILE OF A DePAUL CATHOLIC GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP—ACADEMICALLY ACCOMPLISHED
■ is increasingly willing to let his or her religious faith influence basic values, lifestyle, and vocational interests.
The DePaul Catholic graduate will exhibit the academic aptitude for success in higher education and possesses a variety of intellectual skills that go beyond college entrance requirements. The student has an appreciation for learning and is willing to be accountable for one’s own academic accomplishments. By graduation the student: ■ has mastered those academic skills required for college or some other form of advanced education.
■ is growing in a formed conscience, and, influenced by the words of Christ, evaluates and reasons through moral issues with increasing clarity. ■ recognizes the effect of his or her own choices and actions on the human community.
■ has developed problem-solving skills and an organized approach to learning and completing tasks. ■ is developing a mastery of logic and critical thinking and is able to apply these skills to new situations.
■ is developing a habit of reflecting on experience which then leads to future actions based on faith, good will, and integrity.
■ has developed competence in oral and written expression that evidences sound analytical thinking and persuasive rhetoric.
COMMUNITY—SELF-AWARE
■ is able to learn in a variety of settings within different academic disciplines.
DePaul Catholic students at the time of graduation have matured intellectually, emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually to a level that reflects a growing level of self-awareness. The student is ready to take responsibility for their own personal growth. By graduation the student:
■ effectively uses a variety of media and technology resources to acquire, create and process information while attending to issues of credibility, values, and civility.
FAITH—CATHOLIC IDENTITY
■ is taking responsibility for their own personal growth, striving for integrity and excellence in all facets of life.
The DePaul Catholic graduate will have a basic knowledge of the major doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church. The student is also developing habits of intellectual inquiry in quest of religious truth and an informed response to issues of social justice. By graduation the student:
■ is learning how to accept both talents and limitations, with a sense of humility and gratitude. ■ recognizes the need for living a healthy and well-balanced life.
■ has read the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles and has gained a basic understanding of the Church’s teaching about Jesus Christ and His redeeming mission, as well as the embodiment of that mission through the Church.
■ is becoming more open to other points of view and cultures and beginning to seek new positive experiences, even those that involve some challenge or the possibility of failure.
■ appreciates the centrality of the celebration of the Eucharist to a vibrant Christian community.
■ is becoming a servant leader, a person of confidence, compassion and integrity who is open to using one’s gifts to serve the common good in a changing complex society.
■ has been exposed to the presence of God in private and liturgical prayer.
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■ is beginning to take more responsibility for exploring and validating one’s own faith, respecting the faith of others and understanding that being fully human necessitates an active relationship with God.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We would like to formally thank the Board of Trustees, Faculty, Parents, Students and Alumni for all of the valuable information that was shared in helping to make this Strategic Plan inclusive of our entire community. This is a dynamic blueprint that charts our course and will evolve with each year and changing variables. We are excited to begin our work and the next 60 years of DePaul Catholic. Deus est Caritas
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THE DePAUL DIFFERENCE
NOTES SECTION
86%
Students from
Student Body Enrolled In Stand Tall Voluntary Drug Prevention Program
69 Towns 11 Countries
Daily Faith Formation, Morning Mass, Celebration Of The Sacraments, And Monthly School- Wide Liturgies
4
100%
Of Graduates Achieve College Acceptance
Years Of Theology
13:1
16
Student to Faculty Ratio
187
Advanced Placement Courses
2011-2016
National Merit, Hispanic Merit, & AP Scholar Awards
54+
Academic Clubs, Honor Societies & Special-Interest Clubs
STREAM Curriculum In A Liberal Arts Tradition
33
$75M
Received In Scholarships/ Grants By Class Of 2016
State, County & League Athletic Championships since 2012
A True Family
40,000
HOURS
Of Christian Service Completed Each Year
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11,000 SPARTANS STRONG
70%
Of Graduates Accepted To Their 1st Or 2nd Choice College
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1512 Alps Road, Wayne, NJ 07470-3695 Phone: 973.694.3702 • Fax: 973.694.3525 Email: www.depaulcatholic.org