“The objectives and measures of success for this initiative (renewal of Catholic Education) are not, primarily, about preserving or growing enrollment or the number of schools in our diocese. In fact, if necessary, it is better that we have fewer, smaller, authentically Catholic and vibrant schools to serve the families who are committed to our mission, than to have many private alternatives to public schools that are failing to form Christian disciples. To be clear, the pastoral imperative of Catholic education in our diocese is not to preserve the cultural institution or heritage of any particular school—as important as the history of each school may be. Rather, our mission is to form the next generation of Catholic disciples of Christ. Our success is not measured in total number of students enrolled, in athletic championships earned, or in the worldly success of those who graduate from our schools. Indeed, we expect and aim for excellence in these areas. But these aspects are by-products, not goals, of our mission of Catholic education. In fact, if we achieve these aims at the expense of our mission to form disciples, we have utterly failed in the ministry with which God has entrusted us.”

— Bishop Thomas John Paprocki

From Higher Calling, Higher Standards