LET TER FROM THE HEADMASTER
WELCOME TO THE WINTER E D I T I O N O F C R Y S TA L H I - L I T E S ! It is hard to believe we are about to complete the first semester of this school year. It wasn’t too long ago that we welcomed a record 765 students back into the building. Since then, the energy and enthusiasm in the school have been palpable each day as our students learn, grow and enjoy all that Malden Catholic has to offer! I trust this Crystal Hi-Lites Winter Edition, which includes our annual report, finds you and your family well. Malden Catholic continues to enjoy unprecedented growth. Our enrollment has grown by almost 70% over the past three years. Our student retention rate has grown to 98% over the past two years. This past fall, we also welcomed 220 freshman students, the largest in our school’s history. Plus, with 355 girls currently in our Girls Division, MC is the largest girls 9 - 12 program in Massachusetts! As Matt O’Neil ’97, our Director of Admissions often says, “There is no better time to be a student at Malden Catholic!” This message has been delivered to over 400 families that visited this fall for small group presentations and semi-private tours at our open house events. This is an increase in attendance of 13% from the previous year. With the tremendous effort our Admissions team has invested in the future Class of 2026, we are anticipating another very strong year for incoming students. We are taking many steps to fulfill the many facets of our strategic plan and unfold Malden Catholic’s bold, exciting future. Phase II of our construction for the new performing arts facility and chapel is scheduled to be complete by the end of February. There are several amazing stories about Tom ‘66 and Olivia McDonough and Paul and Margaret Chisholm in this issue of Crystal Hi-Lites that share more information regarding those who contributed generously to these projects. They were truly instrumental in supporting MC and ensuring our ability to complete these transformative projects. We are currently focusing our strategic discussions on the building we own across the street at 50 Crystal. We may soon reach our maximum enrollment capacity and look to 50 Crystal Street to play an essential role in the allowing Malden Catholic to maintain its position as one of the top Catholic schools in New England. Our success this year has been primarily due to those who partner with us. In the pages of this Crystal Hi-Lites, you will see the names of several individuals who have made investments and have created a huge difference – a Malden Catholic difference. Thank you to all our generous benefactors this past year who have provided tuition assistance to so many MC students. You have made our transformation possible. I am sure you will agree, there is no better time to invest in the mission of Malden Catholic! Happy New Year!
JOHN K. THORNBURG Headmaster
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