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What are Archdiocesan Catholic schools?
Elementary and secondary schools affiliated with the Archdiocese of Seattle comprise the Archdiocesan school system. Currently there are 62 elementary schools and 11 high schools.

Are all Catholic schools owned by the Archdiocese?
Eighty-six percent of Catholic schools, (57 elementary schools and 3 high schools), are owned by the Archdiocese and are known as “Level 1” schools. The rest, known as “Level 2” schools, are owned and administered by religious communities or independent lay boards of trustees. They include three elementary schools and six high schools.

Who attends Archdiocesan schools?
In 2005-06 the Archdiocesan school system comprised the ninth largest school “district” in Washington State. 22,358 students attended Catholic schools, of whom 27% belonged to ethnic minorities and 82% were Catholic. 69% of these students attended elementary schools; 27% attended high schools; 4% were enrolled in Pre-K programs.

How much does it cost to operate Archdiocesan schools?
The average cost-per-pupil in Archdiocesan elementary schools is $5,795. This compares with almost $8,000 for public schools. Tuition covers about 61% of the cost for school operations (average tuition is $4,745), with parishes covering about 20% of the cost and the rest of the costs covered through fund raising and endowments. If all students currently enrolled in Catholic schools were transferred to public schools, the annual cost to taxpayers would be an additional $160 million per year, not counting the cost of school buildings and facilities. It should be noted that capital expenditures, debt service, and transportation costs are not included in calculating public school costs.

Why does it cost less to educate children in Catholic schools than in public schools?
The single greatest expense for any school system is salaries. Catholic school teachers are not always financially compensated at a level commensurate with their public school counterparts. Even if this were to change, as it should, costs would remain low because the administration of Catholic schools is “site-based,” thus not requiring costs associated with a large central administration.


Why do Catholic schools need support?
Like all schools, Catholic schools face the challenge of funding teacher’s salaries at a just rate, of operating a school building, and of providing educational materials and technology. These costs continue to rise and will soon be out of reach for the very people who benefit most from a Catholic school education.

Why can’t Catholic schools support themselves?
Most schools can and do support themselves. However, some communities are more challenged than others to pay the cost of tuition, even when it is kept as low as possible. Parishes provide a subsidy according to their ability, and each school conducts its own fundraising. Some schools even have a small endowment. Even so, some schools need help to meet expenses and to maintain a balanced budget.

How are Catholic schools funded?
Historically, Catholic schools have relied on three sources of funding: a reasonable subsidy from the parish (between 15-30% of the parish’s ordinary income); tuition and fees, and local fundraising. In recent years, some schools have also established endowments. In most cases, this formula provides enough funding for a school’s operating budget. However, some parishes, particularly in the inner cities of Seattle and Tacoma or in communities with hard-hit economies, are challenged by an increasing demand for educational services at a time when the parishes are largely comprised of families unable to pay the tuition.

Doesn’t the Archdiocese of Seattle fund Catholic schools through the Annual Appeal?
The Annual Appeal supports the operating budget of the Catholic Schools Department, and a portion of that budget is donated to the Fulcrum Foundation for tuition assistance and for assistance to schools in need. The Annual Appeal does not directly support local schools.

Are Archdiocesan schools in financial trouble?
Yes and no. The Archdiocese of Seattle is confronted with the same financial challenges facing private and public school systems throughout the country. Archdiocesan schools must keep tuition affordable while providing quality, non-public education. This challenge poses a serious concern to many but not to all of our Catholic schools.

What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a process involving all schools in which school communities review their goals and produce materials to prove how they are meeting such goals. Colleagues from Archdiocesan schools and chairpersons from the Western region assess the schools in a three-day, on-site visit. They award schools with ratings that reflect the schools’ accomplishments, and indicate when the schools will be visited next.

Accreditation is a two-year process. In the first year, a school community gathers evidence and creates a self-study binder. Faculty and staff are also trained by the Assistant Superintendent for Accreditation in a School Orientation session—for either those schools who are undergoing their initial visit and for those undergoing a visit after the initial visit. In the second year, visiting teams are organized to visit these schools. Team members consist of teachers and principals from Archdiocesan schools. Training sessions for team members are provided at the Chancery. Teams of four to seven people are lead by chairpersons, who usually come from outside the Archdiocese of Seattle (e.., Spokane, Yakima, California, or Nevada). There are approximately ten first-year, or “self-study” schools and ten second-year, or “visit” schools at any given time.

Second-year schools schedule a pre-visit date and visit dates with the Assistant Superintendent for Accreditation and their chairpersons. The Assistant Superintendent attends the pre-visit, and the last day of the three-day visit. The pre-visit and visit are usually four-six weeks apart. Teams rate the schools using the following awards: 3, 6R, and 6. A 3 indicates that the next accreditation process will take place in three years. A 6R indicates that the next accreditation process will take place in six years, with a review at the halfway point. A 6 indicates that the next accreditation process will take place in six years. These ratings are highly confidential and are not official until the WCEA commission approves them.