During the second week of November, Catholic schools around the country celebrate Discover Catholic Schools Week. This week-long celebration sheds light on the unique advantages a Catholic education offers. So, what makes the Catholic School Difference?

Archdiocese of Newark Schools, composed of 51 elementary schools and 23 secondary schools, saw an increase in enrollment of a little over 2% from the 2020-2021 to 2021-2022 school year, according to enrollment numbers provided by the archdiocesan Office of Schools. The Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Newark serve about 23,000 students across Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Union Counties. 

Bayonne’s Denna (pronounced Deena) and John Hester may be the biggest supporters of Catholic education. The grammar school that most of their eight children graduated from – All Saints Catholic Academy -- honored them “for their commitment to Catholic education” at its annual gala last year. That’s an understatement.

The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children’s (SFIC) Hoopfest raised over $100,000 to fund partial tuition assistance scholarships for underprivileged students attending Archdiocese of Newark schools.

St. Joseph School in Jersey City doesn’t just give back to the community on Giving Tuesday. It has expanded the charitable to last the entire Advent season.  

This year, the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC) hosted its Annual Board of Trustee’s Christmas Breakfast at Saint Peter’s School in Belleville.

Students at Paramus Catholic High School have been raising money for charity by selling 3D-printed Christmas ornaments and puzzle pieces that they designed themselves using computer-aided design.

The vocal choruses of Don Bosco Prep and Mary Help of Christians Academy opened for the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall on Dec. 10. The Salesian Choir, comprised of 14 students from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey and 34 students from Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon, performed a shortened rendition of “Angels We Have Heard on High” by Edward Shippen Barnes and Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.”

“Taking time to recognize and honor the young people and adults that give their time and talent to further the life and mission of our many parishes and schools at this ceremony is just one of those ways we try to support our youth ministry leaders,” Rich Donovan, Associate Director for the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry said.