Superintendent of Schools Sister Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D., with Manhattan Region Superintendent Anthony Biscione welcoming students to the first day of school at St. Joseph's School -- Yorkville NYC
2023-2024 New York Catholic Schools At a Glance
Superintendent of Schools Office
1011 First Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Total Number of Schools
148
Enrollment
50,154
Our Mission
The mission of the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of New York is to ensure our schools are Christ-centered, academically excellent, and welcoming communities that teach students to be life-long learners and leaders energized by fidelity to Christ, the Church, and one another.
Catholic School Experience
Catholic education in the Archdiocese of New York began in 1800 in St. Peter’s Parish in lower Manhattan. Today, Catholic educators in the archdiocese serve nearly 50,000 students from Pre-K to twelfth grade across 156 schools in nine counties and boroughs throughout New York, including Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Orange, and Dutchess.
Building on more than 200 years of inspiring students, Catholic schools offer a unique combination of academic and spiritual development that empowers children of all backgrounds to gain the confidence to realize their fullest potential.
In Catholic schools today, a love of learning starts in Pre-K and continues through the years, with 99 percent of our high school seniors graduating and an overwhelming majority of those graduates going on to post-secondary education.
Our Instructional Approach
Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York are committed to developing Christ-centered, academically excellent, welcoming communities. Our Catholic schools distinguish themselves from other educational institutions through our student-centered approach which leads to exceptional performance rates.
Our schools’ academic excellence is defined by our Catholic values. We foster an education that caters to the mind, body, and spirit by preparing our students to become leaders in the Church and the world around them.
The archdiocese has proactively embraced the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards, a single set of clear, consistent learning expectations in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics designed to help prepare students in grades K-12 for college and career success. Our robust curricular programming brings these standards to life by providing resources and experiences to meet the needs of students in the 21st Century.
Our approach to instruction allows teachers and leaders to create personalized learning experiences; identifying where students are and where they are ready to go next. The infusion of modern technology and blended learning practices support the growth and achievement of each learner. This strategic approach ensures all students are offered opportunities for remediation and enrichment, pushing them to their next level of success.
Consistent Growth in Academic Proficiency
For the seventh straight year, the Catholic values-infused curriculum taught in the Archdiocese of New York has produced results that lead most schools in the state of New York. Recently released scores for 2023 from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for grades 3-8 reflect 63% of students were proficient in math and 64% of students showed proficiency in reading. That is an 11% increase in math scores year over year.
Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York have maintained this level of excellence with the support and leadership of His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan. Catholic Schools invested heavily in curriculum, student supports, professional development, technology, and social-emotional support for students and staff alike. These efforts mitigated and often eliminated the degree of learning loss experienced in school systems around the country. Read more about our Results here.
Early Childhood Education
“Early Childhood Education is the key to the betterment of society.” — Maria Montessori
Many of our Pre-K/UPK programs are located within our elementary schools, and some accept children as young as three years old. Half- and full-day programs are offered, as well as before- and afterschool care, which, in many cases, begins as early as 7:30am and ends at 6:00pm. Specific offerings vary by school.
The Archdiocese of New York’s Early Childhood Curriculum for Pre-K and UPK is based on the New York State Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards.
Universal Pre-K: FREE Quality Education for Three- and Four-Year-Olds: Universal Pre-K (UPK), known as PRE-K FOR ALL and 3K FOR ALL within the 5 boroughs, is excellent high-quality education for three- and four-year-olds, is available at no cost, regardless of household income. Offered in partnership with New York State and the local public school district, UPK is designed to help more children get an early and solid start to active learning – and it’s completely free!
The Archdiocese of New York is one of the largest providers of UPK/PRE-K FOR ALL Programs. To enroll, within NYC limits, families must visit the NYC Department of Education website here. Be sure to specify the Catholic school of your choice from the list provided. Enrollment procedures for UPK programs outside of NYC vary. Consult with the principal at your Catholic school of choice for clarification on your district’s availability and requirements.
Center-Based Learning: Your child will enjoy a safe, caring environment, but our Pre-K/UPK programs are much more than a daycare. Each academic subject (literacy, math, science and social studies) has its own physical center. As they play, learn, make their own choices and socialize, children develop creative and critical thinking, as well as large and fine motor skills, through active, hands-on exploration.
Extended Hours for Half-Day Pre-K 4/UPK Programs (Wrap-Around Programs): Families often seek a safe, structured full-day learning environment for their four-year-olds in areas where Full-Day Pre-K4/UPK programs are not available. The Archdiocese of New York offers Wrap-Around Programs in many areas. By enrolling, families with students in a half-day Pre-K4/UPK session can have a full-day of Pre-K at a very reasonable price. These extended hours offer students the same center-based approach they experience during the half-day Pre-K/UPK, reinforcing and enhancing their overall educational and social development. Inquire at the school of interest for more details.
Inner City Scholarship Fund
Each year, hundreds of children in the Archdiocese of New York seek to attend a high-quality Catholic school. For many families, tuition expenses are an insurmountable burden. Donors to Inner-City Scholarship Fund help offset the cost of tuition at Catholic schools, enabling hardworking students to pursue a high-quality education in an academically competitive, values-oriented setting.
Inner-City Scholarship Fund offers a variety of tuition assistance programs to low-income students who attend Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York. Over 8,500 scholarships worth over $14million are provided each year.
If you would like to learn more about supporting any of these programs or becoming a sponsor, please visit our website.
Sponsorship Program: Be A Student’s Friend
Our flagship program, Be A Student’s Friend, matches sponsors with students currently enrolled in Catholic elementary or high schools who are recommended by their principals. Qualifying students correspond with their sponsors twice a year and must maintain adequate grades each academic year.
General Assistance Programs
Elementary School (K-8): Inner-City Scholarship Fund has partnered with both the Children’s Scholarship Fund and the Archdiocese of New York to provide general tuition assistance to families transferring from a public school or currently attending an elementary school in the Archdiocese of New York. These awards are based on individual family needs and the cost of tuition.
High Schools (9-12): Catholic elementary school students who receive assistance through our K-8 programs are eligible to apply for our assistance to attend a Catholic High School in the Archdiocese of New York. These awards are based on individual family need and the cost of tuition. For information on our High Schools please click here.
Emergency Tuition Assistance: Our Emergency Tuition Assistance program provides one-time grants to families experiencing unforeseen financial hardships. This program enables students to remain in their Catholic school – often the most stable environment they know – during turbulent times.