Annual Appeal 2022-2023

Generosity Unleashing Opportunity SOARING TOGETHER

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day.”

Dear Friend of CEC,

Over the past twelve months, we have continued our mission by providing an affordable, Catholic values-based education for the young people in our community. Without the generosity of our alumni and friends, it would not be possible to serve the families of Lower Bucks County and our surrounding areas. Our biggest ongoing challenge continues to be affordability for our families. The average student needs $3,500 in financial aid to attend CEC. At our most recent Open House, the number of families in attendance was up 70% from last year. The number of students who sat for our recent scholarship exam was up 45% from last year. While these are promising numbers, we must continue to raise the money to help support the families in our community.

We are grateful for your commitment to CEC. Your generosity and support has allowed us to make tremendous strides over the past few years. Please consider an investment again today. Thank you for your support,

Tom Lynch ‘72 President

Your generosity unleashes opportunity every

Highlights from the past year

• Named the Best Private School in Bucks County for the third consecutive year.

• Reaccredited for 7 years by the Middle States Association

• Increased college partnerships to include: St. Francis University, Drexel University Bucks County Community College, Immaculata University, La Salle University, King’s College, and Harrisburg University.

• Continued to significantly grow enrollment, which increased from 513 students (June 2022) to 581 students (September 2022). Over the past 3 years, enrollment is up 35% (149 students).

• Created an Aquatic Research Biome in the school courtyard for biology, chemistry, and environmental science classes.

• Expanded the Engineering program to include Engineering II.

• Claimed Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) championships in Wrestling and Girls Bowling.

• Campus upgrades: new turf football/field hockey and softball fields, new natural baseball field, new classroom desks.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

For years, the CEC courtyard sat idle, with the occasional garden or statue placed within, but the space was never truly used to its potential.

When Science Department Chair Kathy Fitzpatrick ‘80 was asked to consider a plan for a potential STEM grant, she felt the possibilities were limitless. Brainstorming between CEC Administrators and the Science Department produced the concept of an Aquatic Research Biome that could be housed in the CEC courtyard. In a matter of weeks, the old courtyard was cleared out and plans for a pond and garden were conceived.

In February 2022, the Archdiocese shared an opportunity for schools to apply for the Francis W. Sullivan STEM Grant. CEC was selected as a recipient of the $35,000 grant to begin work on the project, and the team enlisted the help of landscape architect and alum Lauren Shegda ’03 to design the plans. As the scope of the project expanded, an anonymous donor offered to match the grant to keep the momentum going and BLOCS (Business Leaders Organized for Catholic Schools) also supported additional funding for the project. Chris Levins ‘96 and CLC Contractors signed on to assist with the next phase of construction and began the overhaul in July.

“The Science Department plans to study the oxygen and carbon dioxide content of the pond water,” said Fitzpatrick. “Algae counts can be made and tracked. The water plants, in addition to the foliage planted around the courtyard, can be studied for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange channels called stomata. Bird houses will be designed and built by our Engineering students with plans to include motion-sensored cameras to record the number of bird clutches and hatchlings. And this is just the Science Department’s plans,” added Fitpatrick.

CEC celebrated the grand opening of the new space in September, with a ribbon cutting ceremony to thank all those who supported the project. We are thrilled to offer students the opportunity to learn in a unique way right in the heart of campus, utilizing a long overlooked space to be integrated with an innovative, hands-on education. In addition, the courtyard provides a wonderful backdrop for special events, alumni gatherings, and more, featuring beautiful landscaping, lighting, a bridge, and a working pond with a variety of fish. The courtyard also includes a 9/11 Memorial and Gwyn’s Garden (in memory of Gwyneth Rivells ‘16).