It's a promising year for diocesan schools. 

Enrollment is the highest it has been in nearly two decades. The Office of Catholic Schools reports growth in several schools in various parts of the diocese.

Preschool enrollment is the highest in history and more than half of the elementary schools located outside of Franklin County grew by more than 10 percent.

Students return to Columbus St. Cecilia School.

Enrollment is on the rise in Tuscarawas County, located in the northeast portion of the diocese. The number of students increased by 32 percent at Dennison Immaculate Conception, by 13 percent at New Philadelphia Tuscarawas Central Catholic Junior/Senior High and by 10 percent at Dover Tuscarawas Central Catholic Elementary.

Lancaster St. Bernadette added an additional grade level, now serving children in preschool through sixth grade.

On average, diocesan high schools in Franklin County experienced a five percent increase in enrollment.

Students are eager to begin the 2024-25 school year.

For elementary schools, enrollment at Columbus St. Agatha was up 16 percent. Nearby, Columbus Trinity Catholic grew by 15 percent and Columbus St. Andrew increased by four percent.

The Office of Catholic Schools also measured an approximate three percent growth “year-over-year” from preschool to 12th grade.

The diocese welcomed nearly 150 new educators and 15 administrators this year. 

Eight of the 15 new administrators occupy positions created due to enrollment growth. Twenty percent of the new administrators were promoted internally.

Father Weldit Tesfazghi Abay joins students at Hilliard St. Brendan the Navigator School.

The eight administrators filling newly created positions are assistant principals Anne DeLeonardis, Columbus Our Lady of Peace; Leslie Kraus, Columbus St. Josephine Bakhita; Kelly Dunlevy, Westerville St. Paul the Apostle; Meaghan Chapman, Newark Blessed Sacrament; vice principals Colleen Schafhausen, student learning, Columbus Bishop Hartley High School; Mike McGoldrick, student learning, Columbus St. Francis DeSales High School; principal Jake Love, Dennison Immaculate Conception; and curriculum coordinator, Austin Opperman, Portsmouth Notre Dame Junior/Senior High.

Administrators who were promoted include Rick Ey to principal and Will Gruber to vice principal, student services, at Columbus St. Charles Preparatory School and Heather Law to vice principal, academics, at Columbus Bishop Watterson High School.

Students at Columbus St. Mary Magdalene School work on a coloring project.

Principal Courtney Caric transferred from Columbus St. Mary Magdalene to Gahanna St. Matthew the Apostle School.

New administrators include principals Leigh Kane, filling Caric’s previous position; Mike DeMassimo, Hilliard St. Brendan the Navigator; and Rachel Cavello, St. Bernadette.