In Search of Catholic School Excellence

Let's Talk Books - Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck Conversation with Erika Bryant of Piece of Cake Marketing This is our summer series where we talk about a book that all teachers should know and use to shape their strategies for the coming year. Read, Re-read, Recharge and Recommit to your students.  This episode explores the ideas in the book Mindset and how adopting a g...

18 - Walking With Families – with Theresa Flynn Houghton  Building Community Through Long-Term Support In this episode, Thomas sits down with De Marillac Academy President Theresa Flynn Houghton to explore how one school in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood has built a deeply relational model of Catholic education centered on accompaniment, trust, and long-term support. De Marillac Academy’s...

School Marketing the Right Way – with Brendan Schneider  Why Identity Matters More Than Buzzwords In this episode, Thomas sits down with marketing strategist and former school administrator Brendan Schneider of SnyderB Consulting to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing Catholic schools today: how to clearly communicate what makes a school worth choosing. From websites that try to say too m...

16 - Teaching Tech with Purpose – Digital Citizenship, AI, and Creativity in the Classroom with Catherine Fuerte In this episode of In Search of Catholic School Excellence , we sit down with Catherine Fuerte of Holy Angels School to explore how schools can teach technology with purpose in the age of AI. From digital citizenship and media literacy to ethical AI use and creative STEM projects, Cathe...

Meeting Students Where They Are w/ Megan Rabbitt of St. Brigid Academy - Creating Schools Where Every Learner Can Thrive In this episode, we sit down with Megan Rabbitt of St. Bridget Academy in San Francisco to explore what it truly means to meet students where they are. St. Bridget Academy was created with a bold mission: to support students with learning differences in a Catholic school environ...

A strong onboarding experience doesn’t just help a new teacher survive the first weeks—it sets the tone for classroom success and increases the odds they’ll stay with your school long-term. In this episode, we break onboarding into three essentials: a point person (mentor) who provides relational support, clear operations and expectations (schedule, procedures, safety, materials, communication nor...

Anne Stricherz (St. Ignatius High School, San Francisco) shares how sports can become a living classroom for faith—a place where students practice prayer, discipline, community, and purpose in real time. From the “spirit of play” to the line between ritual and superstition, Anne offers simple ways to help students find God not only in chapel, but also on the court, in the end zone, and in the high...

Too many schools are trying to sell vanilla… when what they really are is a butterscotch sundae. In this episode, we explore what it truly means to identify and embrace your school’s core identity — not as a yearly theme, not as a marketing slogan, but as something essential to who you are and what you chase every day. Drawing from mission statements, founding charisms, faculty strengths, signatur...

In this episode John Payne shares the steps, the challenges and successes of working with Catholic Virtual to fill a staffing need. He lays out some simple steps to get parent buy-in and the strategies that made the partnership successful.  For the Creative Staffing Playbook, please visit us here .   If you need help planning for your unique staffing situation, please schedule a time to talk with...

In this episode, Thomas and Becky break down their School Technology Checklist, offering practical guidance for school leaders and tech coordinators. They discuss the importance of managing access to critical systems, maintaining robust infrastructure, and ensuring regular device updates and backups. The conversation is filled with real-life examples, from the challenges of lost admin access to th...

In this episode of "In Search of Catholic School Excellence," Thomas Boles interviews Gustavo Torres, principal of Good Shepherd School in Pacifica, California. Gustavo shares the story of the school’s remarkable turnaround, highlighting strategies for enrollment growth, community engagement, and the restoration of enrichment programs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of joy, wonder, and...

In this episode of "In Search of Catholic School Excellence," Thomas Boles and Becky Wong discuss the importance of parent engagement in Catholic schools. They explore strategies for building strong partnerships with parents, including open communication, consistent and meaningful events, and providing support beyond traditional volunteering and fundraising. The conversation highlights practical w...

In this episode of "In Search of Catholic School Excellence," Thomas Boles interviews Kelly Sturgeon, middle school science teacher at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in Texas, about their innovative Invention Convention program. Kelly shares how the event blends scientific method with entrepreneurship, encouraging sixth graders to identify real-world problems and invent creative solutions—of...

In this episode of "In Search of Catholic School Excellence," Thomas Boles and Becky Wong explore the importance of alumni engagement for Catholic schools. They discuss practical strategies for building and maintaining alumni databases, fostering ongoing connections beyond fundraising, and creating meaningful events and communications that keep former students and families involved in the school c...

In this episode of "In Search of Catholic School Excellence," Thomas Boles interviews Mary McKeever, principal of St. Philip’s School in San Francisco, about the innovative Smarts program. Mary shares how the program enriches middle school education by offering students a diverse range of hands-on classes—including art, STEM, mindfulness, trades, and fashion—that foster creativity, confidence, and...

In this episode of "In Search of Catholic School Excellence," Thomas Boles and Becky Wong discuss the challenges and best practices of fundraising in Catholic schools. They explore how to balance community-building with financial needs, share creative and efficient fundraising ideas, and emphasize the importance of transparency, planning, and purposeful events. The conversation offers practical st...

In this episode of "In Search of Catholic School Excellence," Thomas Boles interviews Theresa Rothstein, principal of Sacred Heart School in Patterson, California. Theresa shares her journey from parent to principal, the school’s unique legacy of multi-generational families, and the intentional community-building that has driven significant enrollment growth. The conversation highlights innovative...

In this episode of "In Search of Catholic School Excellence," Thomas Boles and Becky Wong dive into the admissions process for Catholic schools, sharing practical strategies and best practices to attract and welcome new families. They discuss the importance of visibility, community reputation, and intentional, personalized engagement throughout the admissions journey—from initial inquiry to enroll...

To start building your Fine Arts Program, Abby suggests, " try to start first with where  they are at or what was the big trend this past year...then when you announce something that has something to do with that, they really get into it and get excited."    Plan your own Sunrise Art Show by gathering all the work from the year, displaying and it and inviting the community to come see all of the b...

In Search of Catholic School Excellence Exploring the programs, people, and practices making a difference in Catholic education. Join host Thomas Boles as we hear from principals, teachers, and innovators shaping the future of Catholic schools. Whether you're a leader looking for ideas or an advocate for Catholic education, this show is your guide to what’s working—and why it matters.