Doing together what is no longer wise to do alone.
What is the Alliance of Mission District Catholic Schools?
Catholic education is a priceless gift that we have passed on to countless generations for more than 200 years; in turn, our students have served our communities well, providing leadership and ministry to the Catholic Church, to local neighborhoods, and to the world for decades. Now more than ever, our schools have the opportunity affect the future by educating Catholic leaders as well as leaders of our ethnic communities and leaders of other faith traditions which our school serve. It is because of this opportunity, the current “signs of our times” and our commitment to Catholic education that the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Department of Catholic Schools has established the Alliance of Mission District Catholic Schools.
The Alliance of Mission District Catholic Schools (AMDCS) is a consortium of eight Catholic elementary schools of the “Mission District Cluster” of the Archdiocese of San Francisco (The Mission District cluster consists of thirteen Catholic elementary schools; each Archdiocesan Catholic school is part of a cluster of schools in its direct, geographic area.*) All eight Alliance schools are in the Mission Cluster: Mission Dolores, St. Finn Barr, School of the Epiphany, St. James, St. Elizabeth, St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception, St. Philip, St. Charles Borromeo). Alliance member schools have generally experienced, to a greater or lesser degree, a similar decline in enrollment as the San Francisco public schools. This decline is due in large part to the changing demographics in San Francisco. By forming an Alliance, pastors, principals, teachers and parents come together to proactively respond to the many challenges this decline presents by creating a new model of Catholic education. This new, collaborative model is rooted in familiar scriptures found in the Acts of the Apostles: “The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions were his own, but they had everything in common. …There was no needy person among them, and the proceeds….were distributed to each according to need.” (excerpts from Acts 4:32-37) The sharing of resources is found in our Christian scripture and tradition and from these we create the vision of the Alliance.
The Alliance of Mission District Catholic schools responds to the call of the United States Bishops set forth in their document, Renewing Our Commitment to Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium: “The future of Catholic school education depends on the entire Catholic community embracing wholeheartedly the concept of stewardship of time, talent, and treasure, and translating stewardship into concrete action.” The Bishops continue: “We need to seek support from the larger Church and civic communities to assist in this work.” The courage to find partners for the mission and vision of the Alliance within “the entire Church” and “civic communities” is a response to this call.
*The SF Archdiocese is grouped into Deaneries according to parish geographic location. The Deaneries are then divided into school cluster groups, typically two clusters per Deanery, for the purpose of effective communication among the school principals and faculties.
What are the goals of the AMDCS?
The mission of the AMDCS is to strengthen all dimensions of the Mission District schools now and for future generations. The Alliance hopes to attract partners (donors, corporations, foundations) to this mission and vision. Through the model of collaborative support the AMDCS will have the resources to respond to unforeseen and emergency circumstances, but it will be proactive in planning for the future of the schools
The Alliance was formed to directly address these specific needs:
1) curriculum advancement (raising the level of student achievement).
2) tuition endowment (thereby offering larger financial support for tuition to families who want to attend the school);
3) deferred and preventative capital improvement (buildings and maintenance);
How do Mission District cluster schools become AMDCS members?
History:
In 2005 it became clear that the changing demographics in San Francisco had affected school enrollment, both Catholic and public. Cardinal Levada and the SF Archdiocesan Superintendent of the Department of Catholic Schools created a process of clarifying the impact of these SF demographics for the Mission District cluster schools. This process involved wide participation of school principals, pastors, parent representatives, advisory boards, and the Archdiocesan Board of Education. The conclusion of the process resulted in the vision of the Alliance. Cardinal Levada invited the Mission District cluster schools to launch the AMDCS and six schools came forward to be the first members.
In the Fall 2006, the AMDCS Consultative Board, in consultation with Archbishop Niederauer and with his approval, determined a process through which the Archbishop would call the remaining schools into the AMDCS. This process includes gathering information from experience of the Department of Catholic schools with the parish school, conversations with the principal and pastor, assessment of and best prediction of the school’s enrollment, the school’s financial stability, its accounting procedures and future viability, its student academic achievement, its deferred maintenance needs, and other relevant circumstances. The Consultative Board then makes a recommendation to the Archbishop indicating how the parish school would benefit from the collaborative efforts of the AMDCS.
In Spring 2007, two additional schools were called into the AMDCS, bringing the number of member schools to eight.
Who funds the AMDCS?
The Alliance model will go beyond the normal revenue streams that schools typically rely upon (e.g. families and parishioners) and will find alternative funding for our programs. These funds would come from major donors and foundations. The AMDCS will develop comprehensive development programs to fund its goals and operations.
Currently, the Alliance is funded through the Archdiocese of San Francisco, Department of Catholic Schools.
How will funds raised by member schools be used?
All funds raised at AMDCS member schools remain in the school account and are used for the school. Monies raised through local fundraisers for specific projects remain in the school accounts and are used and disbursed by the school and parish personnel. There are no fees, tax or other hidden expenses for membership in the Alliance. All savings and investments remain in the name of the school and are not used by any other school in the Alliance.
What is the relationship between the school and the AMDCS staff?
The Executive Director will work closely with principals in curriculum development.
The AMDCS Finance/Business Manager will offer on-going financial education and training for school administration and give support for budgeting process and on-going analysis throughout the school year. The AMDCS Advancement Director will also offer marketing education and training for fundraising volunteers and personnel and will invite them to collaborate (e.g., sharing ideas) and to coordinate activities (e.g., so that schools, as well as the AMDCS itself, are not asking the same foundations and same donors for money in the same year, holding a similar fundraising event on the same weekend, etc.).
How will the school’s charism, character and school be nurtured?
The AMDCS works collaboratively as “one student body located at eight campuses”, yet each campus is identified and enriched by its own unique characteristics.
The Alliance will encourage the continued development of each member school’s unique charism (often offered by the spirit of the founding religious community of sisters). The AMDCS also will encourage that the school’s culture, traditions and history be honored, celebrated and developed. Each school’s unique environment for learning, and most especially its Catholic faith development, is integral to the Catholic identity and mission of the school, and vital to its future.
What will the Alliance do to enhance academic achievement?
The first goal of the AMDCS is ongoing curriculum advancement. The Alliance holds standards of excellence for all of its schools. The AMDCS are solidly good schools, and all have room to grow into great and excellent schools with very high student achievement. The AMDCS expectations of excellence challenge students to succeed and become leaders in the larger community. Academic achievement will be enhanced by the professional, collaborative efforts among faculties through the leadership of the AMDCS principals.
The University of San Francisco is establishing a partnership of professional coaching and mentoring with the AMDCS schools. USF professors will coach and mentor faculties into stronger professional learning communities which work together both within the school site and among all the AMDCS schools at grade levels.
The Alliance schools collectively fund a No Child Left Behind coordinator who produces the research and completes the documentation to access federal and state entitlement resources and services. For 2007-08, the coordinator has nearly doubled the qualifying list of students eligible to receive additional educational materials and academic support services. This results in increased staffing and academic programs for students.
What is the role of the Pastor in the Alliance?
The Pastor’s role is that of spiritual leader of the school and parish and ensures that the school continues to be faithful to Catholic values and the mission of the gospel. His support of the parish Catholic school is vital both to school and to the mission of the AMDCS. The Pastor continues to oversee the preparation of students for all sacraments and liturgical celebrations. He continues to hire the principal according to Archdiocesan policy and procedures, approve decisions regarding any alteration of the school building (e.g., signage or window replacement) or its academic structure (e.g., adding a pre-school).
What is the role of the Principal in the Alliance?
The Principal continues to exercise full leadership for the parish school and fulfills all the role descriptions designated by the Archdiocesan policy. The Principal interacts regularly with the Executive Director and the other member principals for support with various areas of school life. The principal continues to provide ongoing information to parents and remains available to them for conferences regarding their child and school life. The principal will continue to interview and select new faculty, develop the school budget under the guidance of the AMDCS Finance Director, and lead curriculum development processes and perform faculty evaluations. The principal also engages with and receives support from the AMDCS staff for long range planning.
What is the role of Parents in the Alliance?
Parents continue to be the single most important influence in their child’s education. Parent will continue to participate in member school associations and on their advisory boards. The principal continues to engage parents in active expression of viewpoints will represents those viewpoints at times of discussion and decision. Parents will be informed of AMDCS activities through the AMDCS website (in development) and through principal’s weekly school bulletins. Summaries of AMDCS Consultative Board meetings will be available on the website. Visitors to the AMDCS Consultative Board meetings will be welcomed and a process for visitors to address the board is being formulated.
What is the role of the Executive Director in the Alliance?
The Executive Director works with the pastor and principal, the AMDCS Consultative Board, and the AMDCS Advancement Board, and AMDCS staff to create the model of collaboration that will lead to the successful implementation of the Alliance goals. The Executive Director (in collaboration and consultation with the Alliance Consultative Board, and where appropriate in collaboration and consultation with pastors and principals) makes decisions for the Alliance schools with regard to AMDCS operations and goals, and with the final authorization and approval of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools where needed.
What is the role of the AMDCS Consultative Board in the Alliance?
The AMDCS Consultative Board works with operational policy, procedures, strategic planning and marketing that enhances the mission and goals of the Alliance. Members of the AMDCS Consultative Board are appointed by the Executive Director. Board members bring expertise in development, law, finance, marketing, buildings, facilities and construction, public relations, and parish life. Their role is consultative to the Executive Director. The AMDCS Consultative Board became operative February 2007 and meets monthly.
What is the role of the AMDCS Advancement Board in the Alliance?
The Advancement Board works with the Executive Director and Advancement Director to generate external funds for the mission of the AMDCS. The Advancement Board works toward fostering relationships with external publics and attracting major donors and business partnerships with the Alliance. Members of the Advancement Board are currently being invited to serve and will meet quarterly.