Catholic schools are more than just educational institutions — they are vital instruments in shaping the future by nurturing both the minds and souls of our young people. With a strong foundation rooted in faith, academic excellence and a commitment to service, these schools prepare students not just for success in this world, but for a life lived in the fullness of Christ.
This month, we delve into the incredible work of the Office of Catholic Schools, which tirelessly supports students across northern Colorado and transforms the world by bringing young people into closer relationship with Jesus Christ.
Dr. Kemmery Hill, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, said the mission of Catholic schools is to help students forge a deeper relationship with Christ every day.
“The mission of Catholic education is bringing our students into a relationship with Jesus Christ every single day. Our first and most important concern is making sure that they have that established relationship with our Lord, and then everything else follows that,” she explained. “In terms of academics, all the social parts of school will become rightly ordered because we want them to know and love our Lord first. That’s the mission that we strive for every day in all of our schools.”
As students are formed both academically and spiritually in our Catholic schools, they are empowered to go out and transform the world around them. Their holistic formation and education in Catholic schools equip students to interact with the secular culture surrounding them and act as a light in their communities, Dr. Hill said.
“Secular culture seems to dictate so much in our lives. In our schools, we are trying to make disciples that can defend and articulate their faith to secular culture and live out their faith life in all aspects of their lives,” Dr. Hill said. “That’s where I see us really changing the world: by igniting this fire within our young people to go out and proclaim the faith and the gospel.”
Dr. Hill encouraged those who are considering making the switch to Catholic education to reflect on what truly matters in their child’s development.
“I think many schools are hyper-focused on academics, which is an important part of school, but who your child is, who they are in terms of their moral character, those are the things in life that matter most. It’s the character that we establish within our students,” Dr. Hill said.
“I think most people, if you were to ask them, ‘What do you want your kids to be when they grow up?’ I think a lot of people would say, ‘I want them to be happy. I want them to be fulfilled within their life,’ she continued. “That’s what we do every day in our schools by bringing them to know and love our Lord, because that’s where they’ll find their purpose.”
The difference of a Catholic education are wholly evident, and worth the initial investment. Dr. Hill encourages parents considering making the switch to Catholic education to research tuition assistance opportunities, which make our schools widely attainable.
“I think it is a misconception that Catholic schools can get the stamp of being just a little bit unattainable because, financially, they’re not always reachable for people. I never like to level Catholic schools to just a dollar amount. But, having been a principal, I also know how hard our schools work to really meet people where they’re at financially. If you are willing to work together, all of our schools will work with you to make that attainable,” Dr. Hill shared.
As a teacher, Dr. Hill experienced firsthand the invaluable support that the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal provides through various initiatives.
“As a teacher, the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal has funded training that focuses on the faith formation of our educators. That development really makes sure that our curriculum has a Catholic worldview that’s embedded within it. This training is great, but it’s very expensive, so therefore, it helps tremendously to receive that support,” Hill said.
Hill also shared the profound impact counseling services, supported by the Appeal, have had in schools.
“Another way that the Appeal supports schools is that it provides mental health services to our Catholic schools, specifically through St. Raphael Counseling. It was a game changer at my old school to have a school counselor there and have them work with our teachers and students,” Hill said. “Now, there are St. Raphael counselors in 20 of our schools. That’s a tremendous impact that without the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal, there’d be no way to fund.”
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