Catholic Standard - Catholic Standard

Back to Catholic school during the pandemic

After careful planning and extensive safety measures, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Washington have reopened for the 2020-21 school year with in-person and virtual learning. This series examines how the new school year is unfolding at Catholic schools.

In this series

As COVID cases rise in Maryland and D.C., Catholic school officials say safety protocols are working

As the number of persons testing positive for COVID-19 continues to rise in Maryland and the District of Columbia, officials of Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools Office...

D.C. Catholic Business Network honors Father Frederick Close with Clergy of the Year Award

In a virtual gala on Oct. 28, 2020, the Catholic Business Network of Washington, D.C., honored Father Frederick Close, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Washington, with...

At Mass at Bishop McNamara High School, Archbishop Gregory prays for school’s new president

Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory celebrated an Oct. 19, 2020 Mass at Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Maryland, offering prayers for the high school’s new president...

After five positive COVID-19 cases, Archbishop Neale School in La Plata transitions to distance learning

The Archdiocese of Washington said in an Oct. 14 statement that after five individuals tested positive for COVID-19 at Archbishop Neale School in La Plata since Oct. 9, “the...

Pandemic does not stop 64-year tradition of praying the rosary at St. Jude Regional Catholic School

By Maureen Carroll MartinSpecial to the StandardThe weekly Rosary Club has been a spiritual offering at St. Jude Regional Catholic School in Rockville, Maryland, since the school...

Catholic high schools plan open houses

Information is subject to change, confirm with schools as dates approach. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Archbishop Carroll High School Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington 4300...

With second Blue Ribbon award, St. Peter’s School in Olney known for family spirit and faith

As the U.S. Department of Education this year honored St. Peter’s Catholic School in Olney, Maryland, with a National Blue Ribbon School Award signaling it as one of the best in...

‘Many hours beyond measure’ spent to ensure Catholic schools’ safe reopening, superintendent says

When Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Washington abruptly closed their doors to in-person instruction March 13 in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19, a plan was...

Safety measures and support of Holy Redeemer School community facilitate return of class after recovery of tw0 COVID-19 cases

After a teacher and student at Holy Redeemer Catholic School in Kensington, Maryland, tested positive for COVD-19 in the first week of September 2020, school officials there...

Following established safety protocols, Catholic school transitions to virtual learning after teacher tests positive for COVID-19

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Bethesda, Maryland, has temporarily transitioned from a hybrid model to virtual learning for all students after a teacher tested positive...

Returning to St. Augustine Catholic School like coming home, new principal says

Sister Emmanuella Ladipo, a Handmaid of the Holy Child Jesus, said returning as the principal of St. Augustine Catholic School in Washington, D.C., for the 2020-21 school year,...

Updated: Blue Ribbon day for Our Lady of Mercy School in Potomac and St. Peter's School in Olney

Two Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Washington were recognized by the U.S. Department of Education on Sept. 24 as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020.The honored schools...

With distance learning, Catholic schools remain committed to Catholic identity, academic excellence

When the Archdiocese of Washington made the decision to transfer all Catholic schools in March to a distance-learning model due to the coronavirus pandemic, teachers and...

New principals in Archdiocese of Washington schools

Following is a listing of new principals serving in Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese of Washington. The information was provided to the Catholic Standard by the...

Mass at Shrine of the Sacred Heart remembers Mattie Stepanek on International Day of Peace

Mattie J.T. Stepanek, a best-selling poet and peace advocate who died in 2004 at the age of 13, was recalled during a Sept. 21 Mass at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in...

Catholic high schools adopt varied plans for reopening during pandemic

As Catholic high schools throughout the Archdiocese of Washington started the 2020-2021 school year in a variety of different ways, one priority remains the same – providing...

New year, new routines for learning – tips for parents and students as school year begins

As parents juggle the beginning of a new school year with children learning at home or returning to school, Vicky McCann, the director for curriculum and instruction in the...

Smiles on students’ faces, even behind masks, offer sign of hope at St. Mary’s School

The start of the 2020-21 school year at St. Mary’s School in Rockville, Maryland was unlike any experienced by Debra Eisel, now in her 10th year as the school’s...

‘Family back together’ again, as Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Solomons reopens at its scenic location

The name of Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Solomons seems fitting, because it is located on a scenic, peaceful spot overlooking where the Chesapeake Bay meets the mouth of the...

Back to School… Back to Business

When my parents were school-aged children, my grandparents on both sides of my family owned small businesses. I have my brother to thank for the hobby of searching through old...

Catholic schools that reopened in a blended model adapt to new style of teaching

Of the 91 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Washington, nearly one-half reopened this academic year following a blended (hybrid) learning model. These schools are combining...

Adapting to teaching in a time of pandemic, archdiocesan educators incorporate new technology to teach students

In response to COVID-19 inspired changes in how teachers are educating their students in Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese of Washington, the archdiocesan Catholic...

Following safety protocols, class at Catholic school in quarantine and transitions to virtual learning after teacher and student test positive for COVID-19

After a teacher and student at Holy Redeemer Catholic School in Kensington, Maryland, tested positive last week for COVD-19, school officials there and in the archdiocesan...

St. John's College High School rings in new school year with Mass, blessing of bell tower

As the community at St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., gathered both socially-distant and virtually for the Opening of Schools Mass on Sept. 11, Washington...

Archbishop Gregory celebrates Mass of the Holy Spirit opening Catholic University academic year

In a Mass of the Holy Spirit marking the beginning of a new academic year on Sept. 3, Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory joined The Catholic University of America in prayer at...

New school year begins at Saint John Paul II Seminary, with precautions

As they have since the Saint John Paul II Seminary opened in 2011, this year’s group of seminarians stood together on its front step for a group photo, joined by the archbishop of...

In 'school year unlike any other,' Archbishop Gregory encourages Catholic schools to turn to the Holy Spirit for help

As the 2020-21 school year begins for Catholic school communities throughout the Archdiocese of Washington during the COVID-19 pandemic, Archbishop Wilton Gregory encouraged...

Archdiocese of Washington announces its reopening plan for Catholic schools

In preparation for the new school year during the COVID-19 pandemic, each Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Washington has developed its own reopening plan, had the plan...

Archbishop Gregory appoints Kelly Branaman as new Secretary for Catholic Schools and Superintendent of Schools for Archdiocese of Washington

Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory has appointed Kelly Branaman as the new Secretary for Catholic Schools and Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Washington....