The Diocese of Grand Rapids’ recently enacted a strategic plan that took a giant leap forward this week with the announcement of a new, independent Catholic elementary school scheduled to open next year. St. Roberts Catholic Elementary School will call Ada home initially providing child care through second grade curriculum and then with each passing year add one grade through eighth grade.
“Catholic schools are different.”
Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids says St. Roberts will deliver a premier Catholic education.
“A Catholic school education nourishes children in mind, body and soul. No other educational system can make that same promise in quite the same way.”
“For the first time in 50 years we have the opportunity to open a new Catholic school were one didn’t exist previously,” said David Faber, superintendent of Catholic Schools. He explains the idea for a new school came about two years ago when a group of area Catholic business leaders pitched the idea for an independent Catholic elementary school located in the southeast suburban area of the diocese. A feasibility study was conducted along with a community survey indicating a need.
What is an independent Catholic school? Faber explains it’s operated by a nonprofit corporation with a board of trustees recognized and approved by the bishop.
“The board of trustees in an independent Catholic school will appoint a school board, a separate school board, which will govern the operations of the school; things like strategic planning, policy development, budget development, the overall evaluation of the school programs.”
St. Roberts curriculum will focus on science, technology, engineering, and math along with extracurricular activities.
St. Roberts is scheduled to open fall of 2018.
Patrick Center, WGVU News.