Our School's History and Reputation

A tradition of educational excellence has been a part of our parish history at St. John Vianney Parish since 1951. In its 57 years of existence, our parish school has proven to the community that it offers an outstanding and challenging educational curriculum. Our students have shown their preparedness by excelling in high school with 95% of students entering honors programs or magnet programs of distinction. Our academic success is also shown in our standardized test scores. Our students achieve, on average, two grade levels higher than their current grade on these tests. Beyond the purely academic aspects of our program, our student’s education encompasses the growth of their mind, body and spirits. They learn life lessons and life skills as a part of their daily experience. Relationships with God and loyalty to the church are created and enriched in our Christ-centered environment.

Our School’s Future

Our school has been making plans for our future. The current economic environment is difficult for our families, our community, and our school. With prices and inflation at its highest point in almost 30 years, it creates some difficulty for our families to afford a Catholic education. Tuition for our children is at $5,200 per child with actual cost of education being $8,550. The difference between the price of tuition and the cost of education, which is $3,350, is supplemented through our fundraisers and the parish subsidy. This high cost of education and a slow-economic environment, coupled with demographic concerns in our community, creates a difficult environment for our school at the present time. Our school and parish leadership are turning to you and asking for your help.

Planning

First, the school and the church would like to make a unified effort to strategically plan for the long-term success of our school. If you have expertise in financial, enrollment, or educational planning, or would like to participate in one of the many smaller, short-term opportunities for helping our parish school; which include opportunities to be creative, interact with our families, and being a part of a positive energetic community; please contact our Dr. Swol or Fr. Blum.

School’s Annual Appeal

Second, our school is changing its annual appeal process. In the past our appeal was held during a second collection during Catholic School’s Week. We are expanding our program to help make our program much more successful. So, for the first time we are launching our School’s Annual Appeal.

The 08-09 School’s Annual Appeal is working to raise $150,000. 100% of money raised will go directly to the school to assist with educational expenses, program expansion, and tuition assistance. The parish will be uniting to raise these funds in three ways: pledges, business sponsorships, and second collections.

Pledges

Our parish has more than 2 , 000 registered families. If even half of our families pledged $150, in addition to their normal tithe to the church, we would reach our goal quickly and with ease. Enclosed is a pledge card. If you can afford the $150, you would be making a HUGE difference to our school ministry. If you cannot afford the $150, but can give less, we thank you. Every gift is important and is gratefully accepted. If you can afford more, please prayerfully consider the difference your generous contribution can make in the lives’ and education of the children of our parish school.

Pledged money does not need to be provided all at one time. You can contribute weekly or monthly. A mere $10 a week for 15 weeks or $15 a month for ten months will achieve our goal. Imagine… the cost of one lunch out each week or month could make a monumental difference to the future of our church. Please remember that all gifts are tax deductible. Our goal is to have the money pledged by December 15 and the funds collected by May 2009.

Business Sponsorships

If you have a business, or work for a business that participates in charitable sponsorships, special pledges can be made. The special pledges will provide your business an advertisement in our Spartan Sponsors Business Guide, as well as a link on our Business Partners section of the school website. The Business Guide will be printed and provided to every member of our parish. Advertisements are $250 for a ¼ page, $500 for a ½ page, and $1 , 000 for a full page.

Second Collections

Beginning September 20 ^th , the church will implement a second collection on the third weekend of every month. Again, 100% of the money collected will go directly into the School’s Annual Appeal and into the school. At the same time, the school will be providing a greater presence in the church through choirs, lecturing, and greeting our parishioners at Mass.

Over the years our parish has been very generous to the school and its mission. Your continued generosity, especially now in this difficult financial environment , is a part of a plan to ensure the school attain another 57 years of history.