MADISON – Msgr. Michael Flannery visits with Ms. Burns’ kindergarten class at St. Anthony School on their first day, Thursday, Aug. 7. (Photo by Kati Loyacono)
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph School art teacher Mr. Speck welcomes his Art 2 students with an introduction to visual arts on the first day of class. (Photo by Nikki Thompson)
COLUMBUS – With hand over her heart, Annunciation first grader Merit Onan recites the Pledge of Allegiance on the first day of school. (Photo courtesy of school)
MERIDIAN – (right) PreK-4 teacher LouAnn Baylor, right, welcomes new student Charleigh Rushing and her father, Charles, on the first day of school at St. Patrick School. (Photo by Helen Reynolds)
CLARKSDALE – Siblings Downing and Sophia Smith arrive with smiles for the first day of school at St. Elizabeth School. (Photo by Evelyn Stonestreet)
MADISON – Dr. John Jordan, interim principal at St. Joe, speaks to seniors at the school assembly in the Bruin gym that marked the start of the 2025-26 school year on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (Photo by Terry R. Cassreino.)
NATCHEZ – Cathedral School students Cate Costa, Davis Young and Henry Carter focus on shaping colorful clay pieces for a faith-themed project. (Photo by Brandi Boles)
Students created bracelets that appear clear indoors but change color in sunlight and glow in the dark – an activity their teachers used to spark curiosity and excitement for learning.
HOLLY SPRINGS – Big aspirations on the first day! Darius Anderson, PreK3 at Holy Family, concentrates on building a towering masterpiece during playtime. (Photo by Laura Grisham)
JACKSON – With bright posters and sunlight filling the room, teacher Ashanti Moses warmly reviews classroom expectations with her students on the first day at Sister Thea Bowman School. (Photo by Chris Payne)
VICKSBURG – (left) Cea Anderson reads to pre-K4 students at Vicksburg Catholic School. (Photo by Laura Kidder)
JACKSON – First grader Josie Ball shows off her “magic” bracelet on the first day of school.
(Photo by Celeste Saucier)
SOUTHAVEN – First-day excitement! Students show off their diocesan bracelets in celebration of the outstanding Cognia accreditation score of 389 earned by the diocese. (Photo by Sister Margaret Sue Broker)
BACK to SCHOOL 4
Cognia Accreditation: A mark of excellence for Catholic Education across the Diocese of Jackson
By Staff RepoRtS
JACKSON – In April 2025, the Catholic Diocese of Jackson’s Office of Catholic Education successfully completed its system reaccreditation with Cognia, a globally recognized mark of educational quality.
First accredited as a system in 2019, the office underwent a comprehensive review that engaged administrators, teachers, students, parents and clergy in evaluating the effectiveness of diocesan educational operations. Through Cognia’s system accreditation, every school – large or small – benefits from consistent standards, aligned goals and the strategic sharing of resources, ensuring excellence across the diocesan network.
Cognia: a Mark of ExCEllEnCE
Cognia’s accreditation framework draws from more than 130 years of expertise, serving more than 36,000 schools in 90 countries. Through a combination of rigorous standards, research-based tools and per-
sonalized professional support, Cognia helps school systems set a high bar for academic achievement and organizational effectiveness.
The result is a visible, global designation that signals to families, educators and the broader community that the system is committed to excellence.
BEnEfits of Cognia aCCrEditation
Through system accreditation, the diocese benefits from a single, unified review every six years, replacing multiple individual school visits and saving time, resources and costs.
The process offers:
• A clear, objective view of what is working well and where improvements are needed.
• Transparency in policies and procedures, ensuring fairness and consistency across schools.
• More effective management of human and financial resources to meet the needs of every learner.
• Stronger collaboration and communication among schools, leaders and teachers.
• Professional development rooted in real classroom data.
• Enhanced data analysis to inform decisions and track long-term progress.
Continuous iMprovEMEnt JournEy Cognia’s accreditation process is built on the belief that improvement is a continuous journey. Evaluators partner closely with schools to conduct a thorough self-assessment grounded in both perception and performance data.
Unlike accrediting bodies that rely on a checklist, Cognia emphasizes meaningful growth and measurable progress.
As Cognia affirms: Every institution, regardless of where they are today, can be better tomorrow.
This guiding principle shaped our approach throughout the reaccreditation process, inspiring us to reflect honestly, celebrate strengths and identify new opportunities for excellence.
How did wE do?
The recent Cognia Accreditation Engagement Review confirms that Catholic schools in the Diocese of Jackson are excelling in many areas while identifying opportunities for continued growth.
The review awarded the diocese an Index of Education Quality (IEQ) score of 389 out of 400 – well above the Cognia network average of 296.
Key strengths noted include:
• A deep commitment to Catholic identity.
• A strong culture of continuous improvement.
• Active stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborative professional development.
• Effective use of data to guide decisions.
Students benefit from safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments enriched by faith, academic rigor and leadership opportunities.
Growth areas identified include:
• Expanding professional learning that promotes student voice and ownership of learning.
• Encouraging teachers to engage in action research to strengthen instructional practices.
These recommendations will guide ongoing improvement efforts, ensuring that every child grows academically, socially and spiritually.
aCCountaBility tHat inspirEs ConfidEnCE
Choosing Cognia system accreditation is a choice to operate at the highest level of accountability and educational quality. It unites all diocesan schools under one collective vision – fostering a culture where every learner is known, valued and challenged to succeed.
For the families of our diocese, it means confidence that their children are part of a school system that meets rigorous global standards while remaining firmly grounded in the mission of Catholic education.
What are you waiting for? Come join us in spreading the Gospel through academic excellence in our Catholic schools.
(Visit https://jacksondiocese.org/schoolfinder to find one of our Diocesan Catholic Schools today.)
STREAM of success: Two Catholic schools earn national STEM honor
BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING
JACKSON – Two Catholic schools in the Diocese of Jackson have earned national recognition for their focus on science, technology, engineering and math education.
Annunciation School in Columbus and St. Anthony School in Madison recently received STEM certification through Cognia, a global nonprofit that accredits schools and educational institutions. The designation recognizes schools that integrate STEM across student learning and meet rigorous standards for innovation, critical thinking and problem solving.
Annunciation is the first school in the Golden Triangle area, and only the second in Mississippi, to earn the honor. St. Anthony became the first school in the state to achieve certification in 2017 and recently renewed its status.
At Annunciation, Principal Joni House said the recognition is a reflection of her teachers’ commitment to preparing students for the future. “STEM education is imperative in today’s technology-driven world,” House said. “This Cognia certification confirms what we already know here at ACS: that our students leave here able to make an impact on whatever sector they choose to work in.”
“It a rms to parents, students and stakeholders that we are committed to fostering student engagement, critical thinking, collaboration and strong academic performance,” Cowger said.
Stephanie Brown, dean of academics and STEM certification review coordinator, said St. Anthony weaves its Catholic identity and the arts into STEM to form STREAM.
“When our Catholic identity and commitment to the arts are intertwined with STEM programming, we help students become well-rounded disciples of Christ who have the tools and skills they need to be change makers,” Brown said.
One example was a PreK lesson on “The Three Little Pigs.” After hearing the story, students built houses of straw, sticks and bricks, then designed their own stronger structures. The activity used the engineering design process while also teaching teamwork and respect for one another as children of God.
The school broadens STEM into STREAM, adding religion and art. Teachers introduce STREAM as early as preschool through lessons that range from solar-powered car projects to science fairs and guest presentations from community members.
“The purpose of STREAM is to teach students how to approach problems using their original ideas,” said Nichole Cancellare, Annunciation’s STREAM
coordinator. “While the focus is on STREAM subjects, it can encompass any subject. ... Our community is involved in a lot of our activities, including STREAM Days and STREAM Career Expos. We rely heavily on our community partners, such as NASA, Mississippi State University and MSMS, to branch out our STREAM learning and for teacher professional development.”
At St. Anthony, Principal Anne Cowger said the re-certification highlights the school’s commitment to 21st-century learning.
Cognia’s STEM certification process is based on performance standards that emphasize creating a STEM community, building a learning culture, and providing authentic experiences and outcomes. More than 400 schools worldwide have achieved the recognition.
“High-quality learning can transform lives, communities and the world,” Cognia notes in its standards.
With Annunciation and St. Anthony earning the distinction, Catholic schools in the diocese continue to show that students can be prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing world while remaining grounded in faith.
Golf, giving and commuity hightlight Bishop’s Cup tournament on Sept. 11
BY STAFF REPORTS
JACKSON – Get ready for a day of golf, giving and good company at the 43rd annual Bishop’s Cup Golf Tournament. Set for Thursday, Sept. 11, at Lake Caroline Golf Club, this longstanding tradition invites players of all experience levels – men and women – to enjoy an afternoon of friendly competition and community.
Steve Carmody, who has led the tournament for more than 33 years, said, “We’re grateful for the incredible support this tournament receives. It’s a fun and meaningful way to bring people together while supporting the needs of our parishes and schools. We look forward to seeing Bishop Kopacz and so many familiar faces on the course.”
Whether an avid golfer or just in it for fun, the Bishop’s Cup has something for all. Tee-o begins at 1 p.m., and participants can register individually or with a team. Registration is $200, and priests play for free. Also, the excitement builds with a $10,000 hole-in-one prize waiting on the course.
Registration includes a pre-tournament lunch, 18 holes of golf with a cart, snacks and drinks throughout the course, a commemorative golf towel and balls, and dinner with two drink
tickets at The Mermaid Café.
Not a golfer? Dinner-only tickets are available for $40 and include both silent and live auctions to support a meaningful cause.
Rebecca Harris, executive director of the Catholic Foundation, said, “We’re thrilled to see the Bishop’s Cup continue to grow year after year. It’s always a joy to welcome back our supporters and sponsors, whose generosity makes this day – and our mission – possible.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Dave Cowger Memorial Trust, which provides funding for impactful grant projects throughout the diocese, and the Youth Ministry Trust, which supports retreats and programs such as the youth convention, fall junior high retreat, and SEARCH.
Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels. To register or become a sponsor, visit bit.ly/BishopsCup2025. The committee is also collecting items for this year’s auctions. To donate or help assemble a themed auction package with friends, contact Rebecca Harris at (601) 960-8477.
Mark your calendars and gather your foursome – it’s going to be a day to remember on the green!
Thursday, September 11 Thursday, September 11
GOLFER: $200 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
LUNCH 12 P.M. - TEE TIME 1 P.M.
DINNER AT THE MERMAID CAFE 6 PM
COLUMBUS – Students at Annunciation School react with excitement during a STREAM lesson that included live turtles. The school recently earned national STEM certification through Cognia. (Photo courtesy of school)
