Dear SHDHS Parent,

I am reaching out to you on behalf of the SHDHS School Board to request your participation in our Catholic Identity Initiative.  Our key mission as Catholic School Parents is to transmit the Faith to our children.  The best way to determine effectiveness is by comparing our program to published standards.  The Initiative will utilize the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Elementary and Secondary Schools created by the National Catholic Educational Association.

About the Standards

The National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools (NSBECS) were published in 2012 to serve as both a guide and assessment tool for PK-12 Catholic school effectiveness and sustainability. They include research-based school effectiveness criteria, as well as criteria unique to Catholic school mission and identity. The NSBECS rests on the conviction that adhering to these standards and benchmarks with fidelity will result in highly effective Catholic schools. The NSBECS is based on Nine Defining Characteristics, which summarize Church teaching regarding the theology grounding Catholic identity present in Catholic schools. Thirteen Standards in four domains (Mission and Catholic Identity, Governance and Leadership, Academic Excellence, and Operational Vitality), describe policies, programs, structures, and processes expected to be present in effective Catholic schools; 70 Benchmarks provide observable, measurable descriptors for each standard. 

The NSBECS provides guidelines and a common assessment framework that includes criteria unique to Catholic school mission and identity, as well as widely accepted research-based school effectiveness criteria. The NSBECS is intended to serve as a blueprint and a tool for Catholic School stakeholders to use for assessment, accountability, accreditation, and action, toward the growth of highly effective Catholic schools that are sustainable educational institutions immersed in Catholic culture.

How you can help

We are asking you to complete the online survey which will provide us with a baseline score of perceived Catholic Identity.  The consolidated survey results will then be used to determine SHDHS effectiveness in relationship to the NSBECS Standards.  Additionally, it will help us to create goals or plans related to the Standards. At a future time, additional surveys will be sent to you to evaluate the effectiveness of these plans/initiatives.  We would appreciate your continued involvement. 

On behalf of the SHDHS School Board, I thank you for your dedication as Educators of the Faith.  Know that your participation is essential, and the candidness of your survey responses is appreciated.

Tim Kappes
SHDHS School Board

Thank you,

St. Henry District High School
3755 Scheben Drive
Erlanger, KY 41018
859.525.0255