A View From Here: A Principal’s Perspective on Diversity in an Urban Catholic School

• In Event: Issues of Diversity in Urban Catholic Schools

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this portion of the working group roundtable is to provide an on-the-ground, practitioner perspective of the challenges and opportunities associated with leading a diverse, urban Catholic school.

Perspective: The Archdiocese of Seattle, WA has a total Catholic school enrollment of 22,882 students, which places Seattle in the top 20 highest total Catholic school enrollments nationwide. In addition to the large Catholic school student population, a wide array of school types (e.g., urban, suburban, etc.) and student characteristics are present in the 73 schools that comprise the Archdiocesan Catholic school system.
The presenter will be sharing carefully selected anecdotes and vignettes from their personal experience of teaching and leading in a diverse, urban Catholic school located in Seattle, WA. Recommended by Archdiocesan and Catholic school leaders, this practicing Catholic school principal has vast knowledge of and experience with the personal dispositions and programmatic requirements needed to nurture a diverse school community of faculty and students.

Methods and Data Sources: The select stories and vignettes shared in this portion of the presentation will be used to create a collective case study of effective programs and experiences that have facilitated the development of a strong and diverse community in an urban Catholic school. The presenter will highlight highly effective programs and policies implemented in their school, and discuss the challenges and setbacks that befall even the most experienced school leaders.

Results and Scholarly Significance: The results or claims prepared for this portion of the roundtable session will fall into two primary categories: Commendations (i.e., an overview of highly effective programs and policies that facilitate a strong sense of school community among diverse stakeholder groups) and Recommendations (i.e., an assessment of the needs and areas for growth affecting diverse, urban Catholic schools).

Although recent research has independently examined the experience of non-Catholic students (Donlevy, 2003) or students from minority or low socio-economic groups (Huber, 2007) in Catholic schools, there have been precious few contributions to this important issue from the very individuals who teach and lead in diverse, urban Catholic schools.

Author

• Elizabeth Swift, Holy Names Academy