GOAL 1
Holy Child Schools foster a faith commitment that engenders a joyous personal relationship with God in addressing the challenges of the world.
A. The faith experience within the School is drawn from an active and joyous belief that God is among us as expressed in the continuing mystery of the Incarnation.
B. The school as an institution within the Catholic tradition welcomes people of all faiths who support its mission, philosophy, and the Goals and Criteria.
C. Each member of the school, including trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and parents, actively supports, participates in, and contributes to the faith life of the community.
D. The school demonstrates that this faith commitment is a priority through its structures and the use of its resources, including:
- time and scheduling
- finances
- place of worship and prayer
- personnel who provide effective leadership for a quality religion/theology program
- personnel who provide effective leadership for a campus ministry program
E. The campus ministry program supports the faith life of the community, including the extended community of parents and alums, by coordinating liturgies, worship services, retreats, adult education and prayer opportunities, structured service programs for students, and service activities for adults.
F. The school community respects and celebrates the diversity of other religious traditions; all students participate in religion/theology classes and the worship life of the community.
“…as you step on through the muddy streets, love God with your feet; and when your hands toil; and when you teach the children, love God with his little ones.” — Cornelia Connelly
GOAL 2
Holy Child Schools live, learn, and worship as a dynamic Christian community.
A. The school community embodies a spirit of joy and celebration.
B. The life of the school community is deepened by an understanding of the purposes and evolving traditions of Holy Child education.
C. The school community prays together regularly so that all who seek God may find hope and meaning in this fragile world.
D. The school is a community of faith, wisdom, and service in which all the constituencies actively participate.
E. The faculty, staff, and administrators model this community of faith by praying together, participating in retreats and faith discussions, demonstrating concern for the world, and supporting each other, students, and families.
F. The school community is composed of diverse socio-economic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.
G. The school provides programs that teach the skills necessary to build community in the school and in the world, including, communication, conflict resolution, and peace-making, as well as opportunities to strengthen community through school-wide service projects and spirit-building activities.
H. The school fosters the development of skills for leadership and ministry and encourages students to assume these roles in the school, church, civic communities, and choice of profession.
“I’m a cosmopolitan, the whole world is my country and heaven is my home."
—Cornelia Connelly
GOAL 3
Holy Child Schools offer an intellectually challenging and creative program of study that develops a love of learning and academic excellence.
A. Methods of instruction and assessment are varied, differentiated, and creative.
B. The curriculum and methodologies challenge students to achieve their potential.
C. The program promotes the skills necessary to understand and meet the demands of a global society and a constantly changing world, including:
- creativity
- critical thinking
- problem solving
- decision-making
- independent and collaborative learning
- communication
D. The program effectively integrates technology in all areas and includes instruction in its responsible and ethical use.
E. The program incorporates local community resources.
F. The school strives to address students’ varied learning needs and makes use of other professional services for the support of students, families, and teachers.
G. With the Goals and Criteria as the foundation, the academic program is regularly evaluated and adapted to “meet the wants of the age.”
H. The school has an ongoing program of professional development and evaluation for administration, faculty, and staff that incorporates Holy Child mission and philosophy as well as professional competencies.
“Remember that it is not sufficient to have begun well; you must also persevere with courage and finish with resolution."
— Cornelia Connelly
GOAL 4
Holy Child Schools work for Christian principles of justice, peace, and compassion in every facet of life.
A. Administration, faculty, and staff model these principles in all their interactions.
B. Principles of justice, peace, and compassion are incorporated into the content areas of the curriculum.
C. Structures and policies within the school model these principles in terms of:
- consistent policies and procedures for students, parents, and school personnel
- scholarship and financial aid policies that support socio-economic diversity
- lines of authority and governance structures
- clearly defined channels of communication
- procedures to address needs and concerns
- salaries, benefits, and scheduling
- hiring and termination procedures
- system of evaluation
D. Programs are provided for all constituencies that facilitate reflection leading to action for peace and justice in our neighborhoods, nation, and global community.
E. The educational program has a global perspective, emphasizing the dignity and interdependence of all people across boundaries.
F. The school is connected to both national and international ministries, especially SHCJ ministries, that attend to those who are poor and marginalized, in particular, women and children.
G. The school accepts and responds to its moral obligation for the conscientious care of the earth and educates the community regarding the global impact of individual and corporate choices.
H. The school has a dynamic community service program that requires student participation. The adults in the school community, by their involvement, model the habit of service.
I. The program instills in students a life commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship realized in their “actions not words".
“Give me, O Lord, a love full of action.” — Cornelia Connelly
GOAL 5
Holy Child Schools create a learning climate based on trust and reverence for the dignity and uniqueness of each person.
A. The school community affirms the value of each person.
B. All members of the school community consistently model and teach respect through courtesy and consideration of others.
C. Students are provided with opportunities to take initiative and act responsibly.
D. Students are challenged to explore, develop, and share their unique gifts and to appreciate and celebrate the gifts of others.
E. The school community respects and celebrates the diversity among its members and provides opportunities to develop knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of other cultures and perspectives.
F. The school fosters attitudes of collaboration, cooperation, and healthy competition.
“Trust the children and never let your confidence in them be easily shaken. Confidence begets confidence. —Cornelia Connelly
GOAL 6
Holy Child Schools promote the personal growth and development of all who participate in the life of the school.
A. The school fosters positive relationships among students, faculty, staff, and parents.
B. The school provides support for each student through effective programs, including personal and academic guidance, high school/college counseling, career exploration, and referrals for appropriate counseling as needed.
C. The entire program includes and integrates the arts in keeping with the SHCJ educational heritage.
D. The school provides sequential programs that instill healthy attitudes and behaviors in the students’ emotional psychological, moral, and physical development, including:
- physical fitness and wellness
- health and nutrition
- emotional health
- ethical and moral choices
- sexuality
- interpersonal relationships
- substance abuse
- addictive behaviors
E. The school acknowledges the stress of competing demands on students’ time and, through its procedures and practices, assists students in their efforts to recognize and achieve balance.
F. The school teaches and promotes responsible and safe use of all digital media and has an effective and evolving school-wide responsible-use policy for the Internet and related media.
G. The school works with the parents in promoting the overall development of the students.
“Be yourself but make that self just what Our Lord wants it to be.” — Cornelia Connelly
GOAL 7
Holy Child Schools ensure the continuation and growth of Holy Child mission and philosophy in the School.
A. The school is accountable to the Society of the Holy Child Jesus through the Holy Child Network of Schools and particularly in the Mission Effectiveness Process.
B. The school has an ongoing committee of trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and possibly students that focuses on the mission and philosophy of Holy Child education, including the implementation of the Mission Effectiveness Action Plan.
C. The board of trustees and the administration establish and maintain policies and procedures that are consistent with the Goals and Criteria.
D. Holy Child educational philosophy and heritage are clearly articulated to all potential members of the school community.
E. Processes for recruitment and evaluation of trustees, Head of School, administrators, faculty, and staff incorporate the mission, philosophy, and the Goals and Criteria.
F. The school has ongoing programs for all constituencies that develop an understanding of Holy Child mission, philosophy, and the Goals and Criteria.
G. The school as an updated long-range/strategic plan that reflects the mission, philosophy, and the Goals and Criteria.
H. The board of trustees and administration provide the financial and personnel resources to support the Goals and Criteria, including the academic and administrative areas of the school and the expanding role of technology in education.
I. The school actively participates in the Holy Child Network of Schools.
J. The Board Chair and Head of School communicates regularly with the appropriate leadership of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and the Holy Child Network of Schools, fulfill their respective roles and responsibilities as set forth in the bylaws and policies, contribute to the Network, and participate in Network meetings.
K. The trustees, administration, faculty, and staff work collaboratively with other Holy Child schools and the Director of the Holy Child Network of Schools.
“You must not hide the gifts God has given, but use them in His service.” — Cornelia Connelly
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