Cathedral School
Strategic Plan 2012 - 2015
CATHOLIC IDENTITY
Catholic worship and education are grounded in faith and tradition, welcoming and
respecting all members of the community, regardless of faith tradition. The school’s
mission is to provide an opportunity for each student to grow spiritually while
recognizing a vital part of educating students is building confidence producing young
men and women of faith and character.
Goal: Promote spiritual and moral growth of students as well as academic
excellence in a Christian environment which respects the dignity of all people with
value placed on each person’s faith tradition.
Steps for Implementation:
Continue to emphasize mission to faculty, staff, and administration and continue
educating them in the Catholic faith so they can affirm commitment to mission in
daily teachings.
Continue to invite parents to attend worship experiences.
Continue to develop and integrate teaching opportunities for leadership, giving,
service, sensitivity, inclusion, and tolerance within school and outside communities as
outward signs of Christian character.
Impact: Students will grow spiritually producing faith-filled, respectful, confident
young men and women.
ACADEMICS
The aim of the curriculum is to teach lifelong learning skills. At each grade level,
Cathedral School maintains developmentally appropriate goals, while recognizing the
need to adapt the curriculum to meet the varying formative stages present in a class.
Cathedral School strives to honor each student's learning style, provide support and
assistance as needed, and actively seek parental support in all endeavors. Cathedral
strives to provide students with the educational experiences they need to successfully
compete in an ever-changing, complex world.
Goal: Enhance the science and technology programs by refining and strengthening
the academic instruction.
Steps for Implementation:
Provide science labs in the elementary, middle and high school which exceed State
and National Guidelines.
Partner with a private technology company to create a wireless network which
integrates current academic programs with technology in Lower Elementary and
supports students’ laptops (Write grant to cover expense).
Provide developmentally appropriate technology for the preschool classes such as
Promethean Touch Boards.
Impact: Enhancements will result in increased enrollment, increased community
support, higher ACT scores, college acceptance and scholarships.
ATHLETICS
Cathedral School recognizes the importance of developing a healthy body as it is an
important aspect in the maturation of a child. Participation in structured group and
individual competition teaches valuable social skills and encourages healthy living habits.
Goal: Provide modernized facilities and equipment for D’Evereux Stadium.
Steps for Implementation:
Build a new field house to include bathrooms, locker rooms for home team and
visitors, storage and concession stand for softball.
Make various upgrades/improvements to D’Evereux Stadium Football Field.
Renovate and upgrade home concessions, bathrooms and press box.
Build new visitor bleachers.
Goal: Upgrade existing campus-wide Athletic Facilities.
Steps for Implementation:
Update all locker rooms in Roy Garcia Gymnasium.
Install air conditioning and heat in entire Roy Garcia Gymnasium.
Add exterior doors to weight room.
Provide maintenance a building for storage.
Purchase land on which to build a baseball field.
Impact: These improvements will promote self-confidence, a healthy life style, better
team work, and character for athletes. Athletic event attendance will increase as will
overall student enrollment. Contributors will be more inclined to give of their time
and treasure. Sponsorship and advertisements will increase as a result.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
While Cathedral School has experienced an increase in enrollment, the school also
realizes for continued success, it is essential to properly anticipate future needs. Future
plans must include appropriate distribution and development of learning space with
guidance for cautious and deliberate growth of constantly changing student and faculty
needs. While educational excellence remains a hallmark of Cathedral School, the school
also desires to produce students who can succeed in a variety of environments and exhibit
sensitivity and appreciation for the unique qualities of others.
Goal: Create a new standalone educational building to house 6th, 7th and 8th grades.
Steps for Implementation:
Provide a new building with larger self-contained classrooms including ample space
for hands-on learning activities.
Create an area in which middle school students have access to science and media
resources.
Provide additional locker and storage space for faculty and students.
Make use of electronic devices to enhance the learning experience.
Impact: Middle school students will be more accountable. Establish a sense of pride
and unity in middle school. As a result, students will be better prepared for high
school and have a better sense of identity and community.
DEFERRED MAINTENANCE
Cathedral School has a bright and promising future, firmly rooted in sound fiscal
standing. While remaining financially sound, increasing the operational revenues of the
institution reduces reliance on tuition increases, allowing the school to remain
competitive with facilities and expanding programs. Following a Feasibility Study, when
asked the question should the campus relocate or stay put, the overwhelming response
was to remain in the existing location serving as an anchor to downtown Natchez. Due to
aging campus facilities built in the 1950s, the school continually strives to maintain and
upgrade all existing buildings.
Goal: All existing buildings brought up to code and utilizing current space to
maximize educational opportunities.
Steps for Implementation:
Perform building updates: HVAC.
Provide secure, energy efficient windows and doors campus wide.
Utilize space and provide additional storage.
Rework the traffic flow to provide a very safety, swift traffic flow for pick up and
drop off.
Create additional parking and install proper signage.
Perform exterior updates to include covered walkways, additional green space and a
safe secure gated entry with limited campus access.
Explore the possibility of buying surrounding properties.
Establish a positive brand/image by enhancing the overall appearance of the campus
such as a front entrance face lift.
Upgrade various interior spaces including existing administrative offices, classrooms
and restrooms.
Impact: These enhancements will promote the schools’ history, enhance the
surrounding area, cultivate community involvement, broaden athletic opportunities,
and advocate a Christian faith-based education embracing diversity.
CAFETERIA
Goal: Promote distinct spiritual and nutritional habits of students, faculty and
administration as well as provide healthy, nutritious meals in a wholesome eating
environment which fosters students’ ability to focus on academic and spiritual
excellence.
Steps for Implementation:
Renovate the existing cafeteria creating a space which maximizes the available dining
area while implementing an efficient, streamlined serving system.
Create new food preparation facility and storage in accordance with the Health
Department regulations.
Impact: Students, faculty, staff, administration and parents will benefit from
healthier eating habits in a positive, productive environment.