Office of Catholic Education and Formation
YEAR IN REVIEW 2025-2026
Dear Friends and Supporters of Catholic education, What exciting times we find ourselves in as Catholics in St. Louis! In this historic bicentennial year, we stand at a sacred intersection where the richness of our past meets the promise of our future. For more than two centuries, Catholic schools have been places where faith and knowledge flourish, shaping generations of young people in the light of Christ. This 2025-2026 Year in Review reflects the vibrant mission of Catholic education that continues today. With joy and gratitude, we highlight four pillars that remain aspirational standards of excellence for Catholic education in our Archdiocese: Mission and Catholic Identity: Catholic schools in the archdiocese remain deeply committed to nurturing the spiritual lives of both students and faculty, helping them encounter Christ through daily prayer, sacramental life, and a culture rooted in Catholic identity. Governance and Leadership: We invest in the growth of our school leaders, equipping them with the skills, vision, and spiritual formation needed to guide our communities with wisdom and courage, while discerning the ideal governance model and footprint of our system. Academic Excellence: We celebrate the academic achievements of every student and the tireless dedication of educators and school leaders who inspire curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Operational Vitality: With a focus on long-term sustainability and in support of our parishes, we monitor both the viability and vibrancy of each school to ensure that Catholic education remains accessible, exceptional, and mission-driven for all who desire it. On the following pages, you will learn more about our achievements this past school year, with glimpses into ongoing special projects. Our vocation would not be possible without the support of devoted families, faculty, and generous community donors. As we look ahead, we do so with hearts full of hope. The challenges of our time are real, but so is the grace that sustains us. May God continue to bless our schools, our students, and all who serve the mission of Catholic education.
With gratitude and joy,
Julie Scott Soffner President, Catholic Education
OUR MISSION AND VISION The Office of Catholic Education and Formation (OCEF) serves school and parish communities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis in our shared work of faith formation and academic excellence, challenging all to live the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Office of Catholic Education and Formation seeks to fulfill its mission by partnering in ministry to provide essential programs, procedures, and policies that strengthen our schools and parishes in the areas of Catholic Identity, Teaching, Learning, Governance and Leadership, and Operational Vitality.
AT A GLANCE
200+ 107 Years of Catholic Education in the region
Catholic schools across the Archdiocese
30,000+
24
Students enrolled in Catholic schools
Catholic high schools (private and parochial)
FOUR DOMAINS OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Mission and Catholic Identity
Governance and Leadership
Academic Excellence
Operational Vitality
Mission and Catholic Identity “The Intentional Formation of those who Lead Others”
The Church’s teaching mission includes inviting young people into a relationship with Jesus Christ or deepening an existing relationship with Him, welcoming them into the life of the Church, and helping them see and understand the role of faith in their daily lives. This past year, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis worked to ensure that Catholic identity and each institution’s charisms remain strong. Examples of mission delivery in 2025-26 include: Evaluation of Religious Certification Programs (Notre Dame University, University of Dayton, and Missionaries of Joy (Augustine Institute)) Development of a First-Year Principal Faith Formation program Principal Retreat and Advent/Lenten Days of Prayer for Catechetical leaders Incorporated joy-filled leadership celebrations and faithformation opportunities throughout the year (Advent/Christmas Reflection, End of School Year Celebration) Delivered courses in Theology of the Body, Praying with Children, Christ in the Classroom, along with Professional Peer Group (PPG) for campus ministers and theology/religion teachers Catholic Identity Assessment framework developed for archdiocesan high schools – to be replicated for elementary use in 2027 Provided unified religion standards and recommended faith formation materials to school leaders Awarded the Archbishop May Service Award Day of Reflection for 24 high school seniors from each Catholic high school in the archdiocese Continued utilization of the Catholic Identity Committee of the Schools Advisory Board for guidance and spiritual direction
Ongoing Opportunities: In consultation and collaboration with diocesan leaders, OCEF will begin discerning, developing, and implementing a scalable Faith Formation Program across the archdiocese. This initiative will include youth, young adult, and adult formation programs designed to help evangelize and build our Church in St. Louis.
8
New Catholic principals were welcomed into our Catholic schools
24
High school recipients of the Archbishop May Service Award
Governance and Leadership “Instilling a Culture of Ownership, Accountability and Collaboration as Servant Leaders” Central to the Church's mission is Catholic education, which depends on effective governance to provide direction and leadership in its operations. This past year, we strove to support the following aspects of Catholic schools to instill a culture of stability and collaboration among servant leaders: Assisted six archdiocesan high schools with a smooth transition to fully functional Boards of Limited Jurisdiction, including working committees and strategic planning processes focused on fiscal durability and long-range sustainability Consulted with 21 (arch)diocesan leaders from across the country to assess strategic planning, footprint reviews, decisionmaking processes, and innovative governance models that support the future of Catholic education Sourced areas of potential (scaled) centralization, to achieve cost savings and operational efficiencies in support of parish and school leaders (technology, enrollment/CRM systems, substitute teacher pools by vicariate) Hosted quarterly high school president and admissions director meetings to create synergy, clarity, and collaboration within our vast Catholic high school network Facilitated an elementary principal Customer Service survey to ensure service levels from the Office of Catholic Education and Formation are meeting or exceeding expectations in the schools we support Developed a comprehensive Leadership Development Program for school personnel to discern upward mobility and growth within the archdiocesan system of schools (pilot in 2027) Hired and onboarded two archdiocesan high school presidents (Bishop DuBourg High School and St. Francis Borgia High School)
Ongoing Opportunities We will continue to provide guidance on effective Catholic school governance and leadership, including recommendations for governing bodies to ensure fidelity to mission, academic excellence, and viable, sustainable operations. This includes consulting on school collaborations and consolidations, operational health reporting, integrating leadership with key community stakeholders, and securing support for the growth and continuous improvement of Catholic school leaders.
21 dioceses consulted to discern school model options
6 diocesan high schools transitioned to new governance model
Academic Excellence
“A Culture of Continuous Improvement”
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) affirms the Congregation for Catholic Education’s message that a person’s intellectual development and growth as a Christian go hand in hand. Rooted in the Church’s mission, our Catholic schools bring faith, culture, and life together in harmony. To ensure academic excellence in our schools, this past year we: Hired and onboarded a Director of Special Education and Inclusion to expand reach and service within archdiocesan Catholic schools Continued the rollout and implementation of Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth & Achievement Assessments to better measure academic growth, drive instruction, and evaluate resources used in Catholic elementary schools Collaborated with middle school and high school educators to establish middle school Algebra guidelines and standards for improved high school preparation 130 teachers participated in or will have completed Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training (by end of SY27) to focus on improved literacy and spelling Expanded the First Year Teacher mentor/mentee program Instituted a Learning Consultant Advisory Team to collaborate with OCEF and inform best practices and professional development in the areas of intervention, adaptations, and inclusion for student learning Provided guidance for teachers and students on Artificial Intelligence and technology in the classroom Expanded Professional Peer Groups (elementary and secondary) Beginning Teacher Assistance Program (BTAP) offered for archdiocesan teachers, with 80 participants in the first two years
Ongoing Opportunities: 100% of Catholic elementary schools will have trained administrators for the NWEA MAP assessment data program, with the goal of improving educational outcomes for students. Strengthening K-12 mathematics instruction remains a priority. Specifically, we will align algebra standards for middle and high school educators through K-12 Math Peer Groups. Additionally, we will design and implement a Professional Development Plan for Academics that emphasizes continuous growth in academics, special education strategies, and inclusive classroom practices.
83% of archdiocesan elementary schools met or exceeded national average normed growth in reading
263 K-12 Teachers participated in an archdiocesan professional peer group
Operational Vitality “Fostering Operational Integrity in Core Mission Areas” Catholic schools are organizations dedicated to the Church and to Catholic education, emphasizing excellence and rigor. They face ongoing socioeconomic challenges that require sustainable financial planning, HR management, professional development, facility maintenance, institutional growth, and modern communication. This past year, our schools continued to set standards for operational vitality by implementing the following: Created a targeted marketing campaign focused on student enrollment and teacher recruitment - #GoCatholic Continued fundraising and advancement efforts to support critical programs and professional development for school leaders and for staff of the Office of Catholic Education and Formation Consulted with finance committees at elementary and secondary levels to advise on school operations, finances, and sustainability initiatives Collaborated with Archbishop’s Task Force to assess and determine school health benchmarks and financial viability standards Evaluated and executed the School Improvement Process and accreditation markers for archdiocesan elementary schools Updated compliance manuals, school emergency operation plans, and handbook reviews Hosted demographer Dr. Ness Sandoval from Saint Louis University for 400 school leaders to share regional landscape reviews and census data projections
Ongoing Opportunities Collaboration and planning will continue with school partners and key stakeholders to ensure the financial viability and longterm sustainability of our system of schools. Demographic research and collaborative partnerships will continue to inform decisions affecting finances, human resources, facilities, and longrange institutional advancement, thereby sustaining a culture of excellence and rigor in our Catholic schools.
13K+ Website visitors from #GoCatholic Campaign
400 School leaders attended presentation on regional landscape and census data
2025-26 Special Projects
Special Education and Inclusion The Office of Catholic Education and Formation welcomed Kimberly Huelsing to lead the Department of Special Education and Inclusion. Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis strive to serve families of every background, ability, and need, providing education and formation rooted in the dignity of each child as created in the image of God. The Archdiocese of St. Louis is committed to advancing Catholic inclusive education, ensuring that students with disabilities and those who learn differently are welcomed, supported, and provided equitable opportunities to grow spiritually, academically, and socially. As the USCCB reminds us, “There can be no separate Church for persons with disabilities. We are one flock that follows a single shepherd.”
Progress to Date Development and execution of a Special Education and Inclusion Vision Plan 4000+ students with disabilities have been served across the archdiocese Established an archdiocesan learning plan framework, including training Launched a shared resource system (interventions, data tools, disability supports) Delivered 11 professional development sessions on inclusion, multi-tiered supports, and instructional practices Provided on-site support to 49 Catholic schools to advance inclusive practices Made connections with national and local industry leaders, researchers, and practitioners Coordinated services with third-party providers, public agencies, and advocacy groups
Next Steps
Expand professional development offerings on inclusion best practices for elementary and secondary educators Strengthen learning consultant and care team models to support students who learn differently Advocate for students at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure access to resources and services Grow inclusive high school pathways and options Launch Parent Advisory Board Continue department-wide vision plan initiatives including Wilson Reading training, Behavioral Therapy supports, and improving therapeutic support at Annunziata School.
Safety and School Security Working in tandem with the Archdiocesan Office of Risk Management, Parish and School Safety and Security training was a top priority in 2025-26. In addition to ongoing Active Shooter Drills, three significant workshops were hosted for school safety and preparedness: Archdiocesan Safety Summit - September 2025 Threat Assessment Training Workshops - November 2025 Response and Reunification Workshop - June 2026 At each of these workshops, the following areas of safety and security were addressed: Leadership & Oversight - The Archdiocese announced the addition of a new Safety Director, who will serve under the Office of Risk Management to provide consistent guidance and oversight for our schools. Campus Security - A perimeter safety checklist was introduced to help leaders evaluate vulnerabilities and implement practical safeguards. Preparedness & Response – A presentation on active shooter training highlighted the importance of the drills and the need for clear, practiced protocols. Early Intervention - Emphasis was placed on the importance of reporting troubling behaviors early and often. Even vague reports from parents or students should be taken seriously, evaluated in context, and managed with consistent decision-making processes. Threat Assessment - Schools were encouraged to prepare Threat Assessment Teams and engage in training to better recognize pathways to violence and prevent escalation Information Sharing - The St. Louis Fusion Center was presented as a valuable resource for schools and parishes to share timely safety information. Practical Scenarios - Panel discussions walked through real-world case studies, underscoring the balance between caution, communication, and operational continuity OCEF Leadership and Education Directors participated in FBI school safety training sessions and reviewed relevant resources. In partnership with the I Love U Guys Foundation, school staff and leaders were trained on The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and Standard Reunification Method (SRM) used for crisis response and post-crisis reunification around the world.
Ongoing work with Schools and Parishes Review and implement security checklists. Review the ‘Guide for Creating a Local Emergency Operations Plan’. Evaluate security practices, including doors, surveillance systems, and window protection, along with other building-specific procedures. Begin assembling or strengthening local-level Threat Assessment Teams within each school/parish community.
2025-26 STAFF Cindy Asinger
Jill Burkett, Ed.S.
Maureen DePriest Ed.D.
Administrative Support
Southern Vicariate Ed. Director
Deputy SuperIntendent
Mike Duffy
Julie Dwyer
Laura Fisher
Director of Finance
Administrative Support
Administrative Support
Addie Govero, Ed.D.
Sammi Grone
Kimberly Huelsing
Sharon Lenger, Ed.D.
Northern Vicariate Ed. Director
Director of Religious Education
Director of Special Education and Inclusion
Western Vicariate Ed. Director
Maureen Lovette
Julie Phelps
Julie Scott Soffner
Director of Academic Programs
Administrative Support
Anthony Van Gessel, Ed.D.
President of Catholic Education
Associate Director of Academic Programs
ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. LOUIS Office of Catholic Education and Formation