Catholic Schools Week Ideas and Activities

What is Catholic Schools Week?

Catholic Schools Week is a national celebration of Catholic education and an opportunity to recognize the importance, the value, and the contributions of Catholic education to the Church and the world. Catholic Schools Week is sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). 

An annual tradition that began in 1974, Catholic schools across the nation commemorate Catholic Schools Week with celebrations, Masses, open houses, and activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members. Catholic Schools Week events showcase and celebrate the rich traditions and the incredible value of Catholic education on both a local and national level.

Each year, Catholic Schools Week is celebrated during the last week of January. This year, Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated from January 28^th through February 3^rd.

Catholic Schools and the Students They Serve

According to NCEA, there are more than 6,000 Catholic schools nationwide. These schools—serving elementary, middle, and secondary school students—are located across all regions, giving many families the opportunity for accessible Catholic education.

The Benefits of Catholic Schools

• The integration of faith with academic subjects, culture, and everyday life
• The emphasis of living out the faith as missionary disciples
• Catholic virtues and values and Catholic Social Teaching, which contribute to productive citizenship and responsible leadership
• An environment that encourages and nurtures prayer and is safe, welcoming, and supportive for children
• A favorable student to teacher ratio
• High graduation and college attendance rates
• Teacher commitment

For further reading and in addition to these benefits, explore NCEA’s A Dozen Reasons to Choose Catholic Schools Info Graphic.

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week 

Throughout Catholic Schools Week, schools, parishes, and dioceses schedule activities and events to provide opportunities for celebration and engagement with students and families related to the annual theme. Parishioners and community members are also often invited to participate in some events. Events invite participants to reflect on the value and importance that Catholic education to the school and community, the Church, and the world.

Each day of Catholic Schools Week focuses on a particular celebration. Within the overarching theme for the week are the following daily themes:

• Sunday: Celebrating your parish
• Monday: Celebrating your community
• Tuesday: Celebrating your students
• Wednesday: Celebrating the nation
• Thursday: Celebrating vocations
• Friday: Celebrating faculty, staff, and volunteers
• Saturday: Celebrating families

Explore below Catholic Schools Week ideas, activities, and printable resources that will enhance your celebrations!

Catholic Schools Week Ideas & Printable Resources

During the celebration, you can incorporate daily themes suggestions into your observation of Catholic Schools Week 2024 with a special Catholic Schools Week Daily Activity Guide. With this resource, you can kick off Catholic Schools Week with an opening prayer service, and then find suggestions for focusing your celebrations on the daily themes.

In addition to the Opening Prayer and Daily Activity Guide, below you'll find suggestions for you to enhance each day’s celebration during Catholic Schools Week.

Celebrating Your Parish on Sunday

On the opening day of Catholic Schools Week, many parishes devote a Mass to Catholic education. These celebrations show the connection between Catholic schools and parishes, on both a local and national level, and reflect the support and guidance parishes provide.

Families and catechists can prepare children and students for this Mass by reflecting with them on the support they witness through the assembly of school, Church and community. Students can be reminded that Catholic school students, families, and supporters are gatherings all over the country as they beginning Catholic Schools Week at Mass in their own parishes.

For further reading and to help prepare students for participation in this and other celebrations of the Mass, download the 5 Tips for Teaching the Mass eBook. This resource offers tips to inform students about and engage students during Mass.

Celebrating Your Community on Monday

On Monday, the daily theme focuses on service to the community. When students participate in school, parish, or community events, they have the opportunity to live out their faith and embody the values they are acquiring through their Catholic school education, all the while helping to make the world a better place.

For further reading, explore the 10 Service Projects Children Will Love eBook to inspire meaningful (yet manageable) service projects ideas that engage and mobilize students.

Celebrating Your Students on Tuesday

Help students understand their roles in Catholic education by recognizing their accomplishments. Consider a fun school-wide gathering that celebrates student or class achievements in relation to the 2024 theme of Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community. 

Additionally, share this Prayer for Knowledge with students to celebrate the wonder and joy of learning.

Celebrating Our Nation on Wednesday

On Wednesday, the focus of Catholic Schools Week shifts from the local to national level and provides an opportunity to express to government leaders the value and importance of Catholic education.

For further reading, pray for inspiration to all work together to meet the challenges of our times with a Prayer for Our Nation.

Celebrating Vocations on Thursday

On Thursday, a focus on vocations helps students recognize and use their God-given talents and be open to God’s call in their lives. Opportunities to reflect, with a focus on service and vocations, lets students consider and explore paths where they may use their gifts and talents to serve God and others.

For further reading, explore the Developing an Understanding of Vocation Support Article, which shares that God calls each of us to live lives of holiness. The article includes suggestions for implementation both in class and at home.

Plus, download a Prayer for Vocations Prayer Card and use it in your home, school, or parish to pray for those discerning a vocation.

Celebrating Your Faculty, Staff, and Volunteers on Friday

During Catholic Schools Week, Friday is an opportunity to show appreciation to the teachers, principals, administrators, and faculty who dedicate their time and talent to Catholic schools. A prayer of thanksgiving and a heartfelt “thank you” allows students to express their gratitude to those who have chosen to follow God’s call in the field of Catholic education.

For further reading, share your gratitude for the wonderful work of teachers and administrators with a Catholic Schools Appreciation Cards. The thank you card features a quote from Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, who is considered the “mother of Catholic education.”

Celebrating Families on Saturday

Catholic Schools Week concludes on Saturday with a focus on family. Families play active and vital roles in Catholic education. Families also provide a child’s first introduction to the faith and continued faith formation as the domestic Church. On Saturday, families are celebrated and appreciated for their love, faith, partnership, and example.

For further reading, explore the Passing on the Faith Takes Collaboration Support Article highlighting why and how all of Jesus' disciples must work together to pass on the faith.

Faith is a key part of the 2024 Catholic Schools Week theme. Support families with a Prayer of Faith that can be shared and prayed throughout the week and anytime.