For more than 200 years, Catholic schools have been providing parents and students a faith-based option for their schooling in the United States.  Additionally, Catholic schools have been providing excellence in education to families of all economic and ethnic backgrounds for a richer, more diverse, better educated America.   

In central Indiana, Roncalli and its predecessors, Sacred Heart, Kennedy and Chartrand high schools, have been providing quality, Catholic education for nearly 100 years. It is humbling to continue this legacy as a part of the “Roncalli family.”

My favorite time of school is the week leading up to graduation, when we have multiple banquets (academic, performing arts, athletics), senior Mass, baccalaureate and eventually the commencement ceremonies.
It is what we have come to call “the long goodbye.” Through these events it is affirming and heartwarming to see the seniors, their parents and siblings, along with their extended family of grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins and their friends recognize and celebrate their Roncalli experience; to celebrate their growth into faith-filled, young adults ready to pursue the fulfillment of their dreams and goals. This culmination of events brings forth a wonderful combination of joy, love, gratefulness, hope and faith!

5901 Olive Branch Road, Greenwood
859-4673
www.ss-fc.org
Enrollment: 560
Principal: Betty Popp

 SS. Francis & Clare opened its doors in 2006 to serve children and families seeking a 21st-century Catholic education in the Center Grove area. 

We achieve this by focusing on faith, academics and technology. Our focus on our Catholic identity is at the core of everything we do. We strive to meet students at their individual academic levels and spiritual needs to further lead them on a path that takes them as far as they can go. 

 Why I picked Catholic education
I came from a small community in Montana where there was a strong focus on family and high academic expectations. In Catholic schools we have that close community feeling like back home. When I moved to Indianapolis I sent my children to a Catholic school and was later given the opportunity to work at a Catholic school, which was a life-changing career move. I am so blessed to be able to share in my faith and see the children at our school live by their gospel values. 

 My favorite school activity
Study trips. I am always humbled by the reaction from the community every time one of our classes takes a study trip. We always get positive feedback from the people we visit. When our students leave the building they are able to showcase their gospel values and share with people outside our school what an amazing place this is. 
Examples would be our eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., fourth-grade trip to Camp Tecumseh and St. Mary’s of the Woods, Catholic Youth Organization Camp Rancho Framasa, second-graders visiting the Statehouse, etc.

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The parish is hosting its inaugural International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking on Sunday, Feb. 8. The program begins with a teen Mass at 5:30 p.m., which will be followed by a presentation on Purchased, a local human trafficking awareness organization founded by Jessica Thorne. Another initiative to be featured is the Center for the Global Impact, an agency that trains at-risk Cambodian women to sew and cook.

The evening will also feature volunteers from the parish’s teen ministry modeling clothing accessories from the center’s Tave line. Tasty morsels created through recipes in the center’s cookbook will be available for sampling.

5375 McFarland Road
784-6828
www.sjsindy.org
Enrollment: 507
Principal: Joe Shelburn

St. Jude Catholic Grade School has been providing a quality education for students of our parish since 1959. In 1961 a wing was added to the school to create eight new classrooms, and a facility for the buses was erected in 1968. As St. Jude continued to grow, three classrooms were built in part of the cafeteria. One of these rooms became home to the kindergarten, which started in 1989. 

In 1996 a capital improvement campaign was held to expand and update the facilities. The major changes included a new church and a  multipurpose building to be used as a gym. More classrooms were also built, and the cafeteria was relocated and modernized. Construction was completed in 1998. The fine arts wing was renovated in 2011, and additional classrooms were built, including a science lab.

St. Jude was one of 36 private schools nationwide named as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education in 1996. The department also awarded the school the No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Award in 2003. These awards underscore our commitment to develop each student individually within the framework of a Christian community, emphasizing those skills that will enable our graduates to become contributing members of society, prepared to serve God and humankind and eager to meet the challenges of the future.

St. Jude considers itself blessed with a true spirit of continuity. The school has been in existence long enough that we now have the opportunity to educate the children of earlier graduates. These alumni are pleased to assist in and contribute to the growth of their alma mater. 

What is your favorite school event, and how does it impact the students and faculty?

• Shoe boxes for shut-ins. During Advent the students collected special items to put in shoe boxes for our homebound parishioners.  Students brought all sorts of things that they believed would bring some joy to those who received it. In the end it wasn’t about the items brought in but about the thought and intention behind each gift. The eighth-graders wrote entertaining Christmas stories – based on their memories – to put in each box. 

 • Thanksgiving baskets. We partnered with the Society of St. Vincent dePaul and sponsored 18 families for Thanksgiving. Each classroom was responsible for one family. The PTO provided the turkeys, and the children collected enough food so that all of these families had nice Thanksgiving Day meals. Many classrooms also provided extra groceries, cleaning products and other supplies needed for daily living.  Thanks to all of the volunteers for making this project a success.    

• Halloween toiletry drive. St. Jude celebrated Halloween while also helping the needy. Students brought in toiletry items and canned meats for three local shelters. The children paraded around the school in their best costumes and voted for their favorite teacher’s costume by placing a food or toiletry item in their teacher’s trick-or-treat bag.

I like these activities because they teach students the value of service and giving back to the community. They also afford the children to live their faith as Catholics.