By: Jennifer Willems - December 19, 2019 -
Featured Article
Carroll Catholic School, Catholic schools, Dr. Sharon Weiss, enrollment, Holy Cross School, Jerry Sanderson, Lincoln, Mendota
Anna Sheley, Kinzley Bolen, Zoey Steinberg and Jase Bone, kindergartners at Carroll Catholic School in Lincoln, hold a sign welcoming the Priests Pedaling for Prayers in October. Meanwhile, the welcome mat that has been out for prospective students at the school has made this Carroll Catholic's largest kindergarten class since 2000. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Mirroring the national trend in Catholic school enrollment, the number of students in the 43 elementary and secondary Catholic schools and academies located in the Diocese of Peoria has declined from 10,488 in 2018-2019 to 10,208 this year. The loss of 280 students represents a decline of 2.7 percent, according to Jerry Sanderson, associate superintendent […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - June 6, 2019 -
News Article
Empower Illinois, Invest in Kids Act, Jerry Sanderson
Among the 14 schools from the Diocese of Peoria that were represented in the Save My Scholarship campaign was Blessed Sacrament in Morton. Principal Mike Birdoes (far left) was at the State Capitol on May 31 when Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, D-Cicero, announced that the Invest in Kids Act had been saved. (Provided photo)
It’s safe. Despite threats to reduce the cap for donations by 50 percent or phase out the program, the Invest in Kids Act came through the state budget process unscathed as the Illinois General Assembly completed its work. “We’re extremely pleased that Gov. Pritzker has decided to keep the program intact and honor the original […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - November 21, 2018 -
Featured Article
Catholic schools, Invest in Illinois, Jerry Sanderson, Peoria Notre Dame, tax credit scholarships
Dr. Anthony Holter, executive director of Empower Illinois, gives an overview of the Invest in Kids Act during a workshop for Catholic school leaders on Nov. 15 at Peoria Notre Dame High School. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)
Committed to making the second year of the tax credit scholarship program better than the first year, leaders from Empower Illinois recently worked with Catholic school principals, pastors and teams from around the Diocese of Peoria to deepen their understanding of the Invest in Kids Act and help them brainstorm ways to spread the word […]
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By: Jennifer Willems - November 7, 2018 -
Featured Article
Catholic schools, enrollment, Jerry Sanderson, Kewanee, Visitation School
Sheila Cromien, principal of Visitaton Catholic School in Kewanee, and Father Johndamaseni Zilimu, pastor, sit in the middle of the school's students and teachers as the academic year begins. While enrollment has dropped in diocesan schools, Visitation's principal and pastor have worked to increase enrollment there by nearly 55 percent over the last five years. (Provided photo)
Enrollment in the 42 Catholic schools of the Diocese of Peoria has declined by 307 students since last year, but there are some bright spots to be found among the numbers. With 8,185 elementary students and 2,026 secondary students, the schools enroll a total of 10,211 children. The total last year was 10,518, with 8,427 […]
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