Rutland Catholic Schools

Our Rutland Catholic Schools are on a mission: make our schools a place to belong for every student. A place to belong is much more than a building. It is a family where all are welcome, everyone cares about each other; and every student is inspired to develop to their full potential.

This is a lofty goal, but it is one we reach by truly living the Catholic values we teach every day at Christ the King School (grades pre-K through 8th) and Mount St. Joseph Academy (grades 9th-12th).

Our merger this year has gone smoothly, and the kinship that has developed between our youngest and oldest students is the fruit of our success. As chairman of the Rutland Catholic Schools (RCS) Board of Directors, many conversations begin with the question, “So how’s it going this year?” My answer is simple, “We’re having a great year!” This is the plain truth. The atmosphere throughout the schools is positive and upbeat. The students are infused with enthusiasm, learning, leadership and faith.

Both schools are pillars of the Rutland community, operating here for over a century. The Rutland Catholic Schools community is diligently working to ensure the stability and longevity of our two outstanding educational institutions now and into the future.

Naturally, I find myself continually looking forward to the opportunities in front of us. Here’s my short list of goals and tasks for the upcoming year:

• A new principal: After nine years as CKS principal and 52 years in education, Mrs. Rose Maria Doran is retiring at the end of the school year. We are working very hard to find a new principal with as much talent, heart and dedication to her students as Mrs. Doran.
• Enhanced Academics: MSJ’s assistant principal, Patricia Donahue, is working to align and codify curriculums at MSJ and at the CKS middle school. Ms. Donahue also is working to enhance the teaching techniques for our longer classes next year.
• New MSJ Schedule: Recently we unveiled a new trimester course schedule for the 2009/2010 school year at MSJ. The advantages of this new system include: greater opportunity for more classes, longer class times, a more-manageable course, and more flexibility in class scheduling.
• Athletics: By playing against the best you become the best, learning in the crucible of competition the value of a game well played, a performance superbly given, or growing in both courage and endurance by rising above your defeats. This mantra pervades athletics at RCS. With that in mind, and after significant evaluation by the principal, athletic director, coaching staff and board members, MSJ will continue to play Division I football next season. We are confident in the athleticism and conditioning of our students. This decision was not taken lightly and we involved many in the process – including our team physician. I am confident that our student athletes will again make us proud during the upcoming sports seasons.
• Technology: We are working to expand the technology offerings at RCS. Currently, there are almost as many computers as there are students at MSJ. CKS has two computer labs and one mobile lab. Both schools are now utilizing several ‘smart-boards’ in their classrooms.
• Enrollment: There is no secret that we are concerned about enrollment. Demographic declines in the number of students in general, coupled with increased educational costs, has hit our schools hard. This decline is a reality for all schools, not just RCS. However, we believe that RCS is still a great educational value for your money. We will work hard during the coming year to tell everyone how great RCS is and to encourage families to join our schools. We would like everyone to consider sending their children to our schools and to at least drop by for a visit – or even shadow a student for a day. We currently provide financial aid to 54% of the students at MSJ and 40% of CKS students because of the generosity of our supporters.
• Development: Only by creating a strong financial base can we be assured of a strong future. We have to work very hard during these difficult times to be good stewards of the monies to which we are entrusted. Our finance committee is a group of talented, knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers who work hard to ensure accountability and wise management of our operating funds. RCS has evolved into what it is today because of the commitment of those before us to Catholic education. These forebears sacrificed time, energy and effort, and provided money as well. We pledge to continue the mission they started and hopefully to expand it.
• Physical Plant: Our Buildings and Grounds Committee is working to enhance the campuses and create greater energy efficiency. Work in this area will continue.
• Further Integration: We cannot lose sight of the goal to create a unified school system. We recently took a large step in this direction when we combined registration and tuition payment programs. Further, we also created a multi-student discount program that encompasses both schools – a huge achievement! Now if you have students at both MSJ and CKS, you will receive a discount for your second and subsequent children – regardless of which school they attend!

In conclusion, the Rutland Catholic Schools believes in creating a religious and moral environment where young people can learn and grow to a faith-filled Catholic maturity that helps them achieve personal wholeness. Both schools are integral to the fabric of the Rutland region and have been for over 100 years. Many community leaders owe their success to their education at CKS and MSJ. We provide a choice for people in Rutland County. Our choice is a quality, values-based education for our children who are our future. We pledge to continue that tradition. We are the place your children belong.