Discover a Catholic Education in Northeast Indiana

There is a place for you in a Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Catholic School.

Why Choose a Catholic Education?

Each student has a unique potential given to them by God, and we believe that your child has the ability to transform the world. Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Catholic schools open hearts and minds through an academically excellent environment that forms disciples of Jesus Christ.

Affording a Catholic Education

We recognize that affording the best education for your child’s unique needs is not always easy, but with Indiana Choice legislation, affording a Catholic education may be easier than you think. Opportunities for tuition assistance include the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) scholarships, and school-specific tuition assistance.

Introducing a Strategic Vision for our Catholic Schools

The Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend is excited to share this new strategic vision for the schools in our diocese.

As we implement these strategic plan initiatives throughout 2022-2027, we remain focused on helping our students to excel spiritually, intellectually, physically, and socially. Everything we do is for the greater glory of God.

Our Mission

The Mission of the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend is to evangelize and form disciples of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church through the ministry of education.

Our Vision

Our Beliefs

Our Philosophy

OUR PHILOSOPHY

As Catholic educators, we participate in the evangelizing and redemptive mission of the Catholic Church. Called through Baptism and incorporated into Christ’s life, we embark on a journey of bringing God’s love to the world. Through the ministry of education, with the help of God’s grace, we seek to accept the call of Christ to love and serve God and one another. We strive to integrate the student’s spiritual, intellectual, emotional, moral, and social lives. Through the sacramental life and the liturgical year, love of God and neighbor transform attitudes, actions, and relationships. Our schools are communities of faith centered on the Eucharist. We continually challenge our students and one another to participate in Christ’s victory over sin with lives of love, compassion, and observance of the law of God and our Church. Through witnessing our faith, we call our students to recognize the love of God in their midst and to contribute their talents in service to others, calling all to be saints and to live in communion with God in heaven.

WE BELIEVE

Catholic schools are an expression of the Catholic Church’s teachings based on scripture, traditions, and sacramental life.

Catholic schools call each member of the school community to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ so that all might grow in holiness, discern their vocation, and be prepared for their eternal destiny in Heaven.

Catholic schools provide an atmosphere that is permeated by the Gospel spirit of love which recognizes self-discipline and personal responsibility and affirms the dignity of all persons.

Catholic schools provide Christ-like role models who witness the teachings of Christ and the Catholic faith.

Catholic schools are committed to academic excellence, which fosters the intellectual development and the moral and spiritual formation of all faculty, staff, and students.

Catholic schools believe that each child is uniquely created in God’s image, and that all children can learn.

OUR VISION

Our Catholic schools will provide a Christ-centered environment in which the Gospel message is proclaimed, community in Christ is experienced, service of others is practiced, and thanksgiving and worship of God is cultivated.

Our Catholic identity will be seen through our integration of faith and life, reverence for truth, growth in virtue, formation in Christian discipleship, and commitment to prayer.

Our students will experience, from the first moment that they set foot in our Catholic schools, a community illumined by the light of faith and enlivened by the presence of Jesus the master teacher.

Our Catholic educators, in answering their call to Catholic education, will serve as witnesses to the truth, beauty, and joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our parents are the primary educators. The schools, working in collaboration with the parents, will help educate and form their children.

Special Education in our Catholic Schools

82% of our Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Catholic Schools offer some form of special education support, collaborating with each other and with parents to identify the best community for your child to thrive. To start a unique education journey for your child, contact a Catholic school near you. (Programs and services vary based on the physical building structure, enrollment, and teacher availability.)

Recent News

The latest happenings in our schools, brought to you by Today’s Catholic.

Diocese
Enjoyment of Working with Kids Leads to Vocation in Education
Principal Stephen Hoffman of Christ the King Grade School in South Bend was a bit of a late bloomer when it came to his career path. He did not attend college right away and took time to discern what exactly he wanted to do with his life. “My wife Cathy kept telling me I needed… Read More
Bishop
The Future Is Bright for Graduating Knights of Marian High School
“We call on the Holy Spirit to guide them in their futures and help them continue to grow in their faith,” was the opening blessing by Bishop Kevin Rhoades at the Marian High School Baccalaureate Mass celebration on Thursday, May 25, at St. Pius X Church in Granger. After four years of academic excellence, spiritual… Read More
Bishop
The Crucifix is Center of Dwenger Baccalaureate Mass
Addressing the 2023 graduates of Bishop Dwenger High School, Bishop Kevin Rhoades laid before them the path of the Cross and the opportunity to walk this path of life and holiness as they go forward. He exclaimed, “Our Lord himself invites you to walk the path of faith, the way of the Cross. Jesus said,… Read More
FEATURE
Avilla Confirmation Preparation Produces Catholic Identity  
In the Sacrament of Confirmation, recipients experience an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the Bishop seals their acceptance of the Catholic faith. At Confirmation, recipients of the sacraments are also recognized as adults in the Church. Chad Helmkamp ensures that his students’ preparation for this sacrament consists of the beliefs of our faith and… Read More
Diocese
Holy Cross College Graduates told to ‘Put Out into the Deep’ 
“Put out into the deep!” These words from Bishop Rhoades to the graduating class at Holy Cross College, echoing Jesus’ invitation to St. Peter, reminded of the importance to courageously pursue greatness through faith and trust in the Lord.  At the Baccalaureate Mass on Friday, May 19, Bishop Rhoades emphasized, “All of us can live… Read More
Diocese
Feast of Ascension Mass Brings Strong Messages to University of Notre Dame Graduates 
Thousands gathered for the University of Notre Dame Commencement vigil Mass for The Ascension of the Lord at Purcell Pavilion in the Joyce Center on Saturday, May 20. Nearly 25,000 graduates, students, families, faculty, and visitors had the opportunity to celebrate with the presiding celebrant and homilist Reverend John I. Jenkins, CSC, President of the… Read More
Diocese
Around the Diocese: May 28, 2023
Foundation announces scholarships Samson Vickery Lindsay Godfroy Blaise Rupley Audrie Bowman HUNTINGTON — The Community Foundation of Huntington County announces Audrie Bowman, Blaise Rupley, Lindsay Godfroy, and Samson Vickrey as the 2023 recipients of the Donald E. & Lou Rayne Scheiber Catholic Education Scholarships totaling $5,800. Bowman, Rupley, and Godfroy are members of SS. Peter… Read More
Bishop
Students Take Final Step in Christian Initiation
After years of preparation, prayer, and deep spiritual reflection, 23 youth from St. Paul Chapel and St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Angola, took their final step in Christian initiation through the celebration of Confirmation. Since both parishes share Father Osman Ramos as their pastor, the groups gathered at St. Anthony of Padua for the… Read More

Spirit in the Schools Podcast

Stories from education that reveal God, and responses for family life.
Elementary Principal Zac Coyle talks with other educators, parents, coaches, and experts in the field about their programs and efforts to serve students, showing God’s presence in their work, with practical tips for family life in response.

Self-Control CAN be Taught!
St. Jude’s Catholic School in Fort Wayne deepens faith and leadership in an innovative program called faith families. Join jr. high religion teacher Patty Bond, third grade teacher Julie Lassus, and Principal Mike Obergfell for more on how this teaches self-control and goodness for their students. Read More
Can Self-Control be Taught?
Join Bishop Dwenger High School (Fort Wayne) Pastoral Minister and Head Football Coach, Jason Garrett, and Athletic Director, Greg Slee, for a look at the virtue=strength program and how Dwenger builds self-control through a deep relationship with Christ. Read More
Generosity of Time
St. Bernarnd Wabash (Wabash, Indiana) Pastor, Fr. Jay Horning, and Principal, Abby Stanley lives a deep of infusion of community, coining the phrase door to desk, with and model a tremendous generosity of time, highlighting the benefits of strong schools in smaller towns, in otherwise rural areas. Read More
Goodness Grows in Groups
St. Charles Borromeo School, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, makes intentional effort to grow goodness through some of how they offer worships and learning opportunities to groups of students. Join resource teacher and instructional coach, Melissa Bullerman, and 5th grade teacher Ashley. Read More
Schools can Learn Too!
Join St. Charles Borromeo Principal (in Fort Wayne, IN), Rob Sordelet, reflecting on what Catholic schools and education learned from the pandemic. Schools offered new modalities, as did Catholic parishes, to engage families during a great challenge, and found grace and goodness along the way! Read More
Plan Strategically for Joy
Join Dr. Joe Brettnacher, Superintendent of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, on the process and content of the Diocesan strategic plan. Learn how this plan starts with the first goal of developing authetnic disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ and builds from that foundation. Read More
Preparing Increases Faithfulness
Return to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton to hear about an innovate and powerful faith formation they practice for grades K-8: Faith with Fathers, and how they augment this with Virtue=Strength Read More
Preparing Brings Peace
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Fort Wayne, Indiana focuses on a healthy approach to modern technology, with embedded direct instrution on traditional politeness, manners, and courtesy/ettiquette in their consumer technology course. Join teacher Sarah Steffan and Principal Lois Widner for how this course helps prepare young people for life, and for career readiness… Read More

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Catholic Schools Office

To contact us, call 260-422-4611