Graduates move on from Catholic elementary school with a solid academic and social foundation necessary for the academic rigors of high school, college and beyond.

The elementary schools in the Archdiocese are safe, nurturing places that build on a long history of academic and personal success. We educate more than 45,000 elementary and special education students in 152 schools across the 9 Catholic school regions of the Archdiocese, including the John Cardinal O’Connor School in Irvington, NY for students who learn differently. All of our schools are faith-filled environments in which Catholic values are infused in all subject areas.  Students receive religious instruction and sacramental preparation and participate regularly in mass.

Our schools are mission-driven and data informed. Our curriculum follows the National Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS). Students take New York State tests in English Language Arts and Math in grades 3 through 8 and the Iowa Test of Basic Skills in grades K through 2. Students perform well on these exams. Test scores are only one piece of information in a comprehensive system of assessment. Our schools also integrate academic learning with enrichment activities and character development to help students develop spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically.