Message from the Principal
February 2009
The School’s 123rd Year
Dear Friends in Catholic Education:
As I reflect on my first 100 days as principal at Marquette Catholic High School, it is with great enthusiasm I personally update you on the strides we have made towards improving our already, exemplary Catholic high school. Excellence is not an accident. It is achieved through hard work, dedication, and families like you who commit their time, talent, and treasure to our school community. Having said this, I do realize the sacrifices families make to afford a Marquette Catholic education for their children.
This school year, over $75,000 in tuition assistance was awarded to 26% of our students. Each year through the generosity of the Diocese of Gary, The Marquette Foundation, and private donors, Marquette Catholic is able to offer tuition assistance to students who might not otherwise be able to afford Catholic education. If you are hesitating to consider Marquette Catholic High School for financial reasons, we strongly encourage you to apply for tuition assistance, as this process has made Marquette Catholic a reality for many of our families. Financial aid forms (PSAS) are available for download at our web site (Marquette-hs.org) or in the school’s main office on 10th Street. It is highly recommended all families contact the Office of Advancement for additional information on tuition assistance.
Academics: For the school year 2009-2010, we are implementing the following enhancements to our programs and services. Marquette Catholic will be adopting a 9 period school day. The extra period will allow students to select courses that will enrich and/or support their studies. Our electives and course work will include expanding our curriculum to include: a world language lab, The Common Experience (freshmen), community service earned credits, internet correspondence courses taught by Marquette faculty, and dual enrollment courses for college credit (AP & ACP). Newly added course offerings at our State accredited school will include but not be limited to: Anatomy, Astronomy, Geology, Earth Science, Creative Writing, Film Literature, Writing Lab, The Holocaust, The 60’s, The Civil Rights Movement, Geography & History of the World, and Piano Ensemble. I believe these additions will maintain and further enhance our 96% passing on the State’s Graduation Qualifying Exam, our ability to place 100% of our graduates in post-secondary institutions, and broaden one’s qualifications when applying for scholarships. There are 45 students currently enrolled in our senior class. These students have already been accepted to over 40 different colleges and universities.
Faith: All of our students’ studies and activities help reinforce our shared Catholic values. At Marquette Catholic, a student’s academic experience extends beyond the classroom. Our school provides a value-based education for its students, offering a weekly Mass for the entire Marquette family, daily chapel for the students, daily classroom prayer, penance services, Stations of the Cross, and even Pro-Life programs and community service projects that teach Marquette students how to live and practice their faith. Next year, we will add a monthly chapel Mass for our Marquette community, expand retreat opportunities, continue to develop a broad-based Theology curriculum and work with our mission committee to celebrate and facilitate “themed” Masses.
Student Life: After school, Marquette students have a chance to participate in athletics, fine arts programs and academic competitions. We offer thirteen varsity sports for boys and girls – all teams being sanctioned by the Indiana High School Athletic Association allows our student-athletes to compete for sectional, regional and state championships. There are Blazer alumni playing their sport at the college level all over the country on athletic scholarships. Our fine arts programs enhance our students’ God-given talents involving them in plays, musicals, concert band, pottery, ceramics, painting, fashion design and sewing. Students compete academically in Spell Bowl, Academic Super Bowl and Science Olympiad against students from all over the state – maintaining a position in the top three state-wide year after year. For next school year, it is our hope to expand student involvement activities for the entire Marquette Catholic Community. Our vision is to host more athletic tournaments and academic competitions, to promote the use of our facilities with community members and partner schools, and to offer athletic summer camps and academic specialty courses for middle and high school level students.
Climate & Culture: The Marquette Campus is a caring Catholic community where a safe and secure environment is provided for our students. This college-like atmosphere gives students a place to have group and individual study sessions, socialize in the Lounge and Varsity Store area (planned to open in September 2009) and surf the web charged by our wireless campus. Our newly adopted school uniform will prepare students for a more professional environment while allowing teachers and students to keep their focus on the learning, enrich our Catholic identity and provide enhanced safety.
Change is a reality at Marquette Catholic High School as we continue to charge ahead in living our mission and providing all students with the best Catholic, college preparatory education.
Thank you for your support and belief in Catholic education.
With Faith in Our Future -
Sincerely,
James G. White
Principal
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