THE HISTORY OF PROJECT SUCCESS

Project SUCCESS is a wonderful model of how collaboration enables even the poorest communities to continue to provide Catholic elementary school education. Dedicated administrators, teachers, parents, alumni, and friends have worked together in support of the Catholic elementary schools of Santa Ana to meet the needs of the children they serve.

In 2002, the Diocese of Orange mandated that development committees be set up in each of the Catholic elementary schools. In September 2002, after an all schools’ board meeting at the Diocese of Orange, the schools of Santa Ana determined they were in a situation that was unique from the other elementary schools in the Diocese.  Development efforts that were successful at other schools were not translating well to the Santa Ana elementary Schools. 

After discussing with the Superintendent of Catholic Schools our concerns as to implementation of a development program, recommendation was given to contact the Diocese of Sacramento, which had successfully implemented a development program targeted to the most needy of their Catholic Schools. 

Using this as a starting point, it was thought that by pooling the available resources at the five Santa Ana Catholic elementary schools (Immaculate Heart of Mary, Our Lady of the Pillar, St. Anne, St. Barbara and St. Joseph Schools), a development consortium could be formed.  The goal would be to help the most needy of the Santa Ana schools and ensure that concerns for the future of all five schools would be addressed.

In November 2002, the first meeting of what was then known as Santa Ana Regional Schools Development Consortium was held.  Of major note was the involvement of the principals of all five schools.  All five schools had additional representatives present. 

The first steps were to understand the unique challenges of the Santa Ana schools: 

• Urban Students – Many Project SUCCESS school students: are from non-English speaking homes, are from low income families, and are at-risk students because of the surrounding environment.  Because these schools are feeder schools to Mater Dei High School, one of the top high schools in Orange County, students must be prepared to meet the challenges of attending a college prep high school.  

  1,267 Catholic schools have closed in the United States since 2000.   Statistics from NCEA (National Catholic Educational Association

• Decreasing Enrollment - Loss of jobs due to the poor economy, high immigrant populations with lower paying jobs, and the increasing cost of housing and living expenses in Orange County results in fewer families having the means to pay the full price of a Catholic education. 

• The Need for Catholic Schools in Santa Ana - Many of the public schools in Santa Ana are ranked in the lower 25% in the nation. Many Santa Ana students are at-risk for drug use, gang involvement, and teen pregnancy. The Catholic elementary schools offer options to parents who are concerned for their children’s safety as well as future. 

• Facility Repairs - The Project SUCCESS schools are older facilities in need of costly repairs, maintenance, and updating.  Tight budgets limit the amount that can be spent on maintenance versus the needs of the students.

The next step was to determine how to secure the future of Catholic elementary schools in Santa Ana.  Of immediate concern was the need for financial support in the following areas:

• Tuition Assistance – A full enrollment means less financial concern for a school. However, most of the Santa Ana Catholic elementary schools are dealing with decreasing enrollment. Decreasing enrollment has not been a result of poor marketing, but rather the result of the rising cost of a Catholic education as well as the cost of living in Orange County.  The average tuition is $3500 per year. However, the true cost of a Catholic education is approximately $5200 per year. The difference must be raised through fundraising, often relying on the parents who can barely afford tuition.  Financial need is very often short-term due to illness or employment problems.  However, it is becoming increasingly necessary to offer tuition assistance to families who want a Catholic education for their child(ren), especially those with more than one child.  Many families need a monthly subsidy to meet tuition needs.  

• Program Sponsorship – The potential of each child is enhanced by extra-curricular and after-school programs. Technology/Computer, Fine Arts, Music, After-School sports, clubs, classes, and tutoring – all are opportunities for students to develop their God-given talents. Children who are given the opportunity to grow and explore their talents are students who are interested and excited about school.

• Facility Enhancement – On-going maintenance, repairs, and improvements of school facilities and equipment are a huge drain on tight budgets. Costly repairs are usually a product of money not being available for maintenance, especially with older facilities.  

With these beginnings, the idea of Project SUCCESS was presented to Fr. Gerald Horan, O.S.N., Vicar of Faith Formation. With the approval of Bishop Brown, Project SUCCESS was formed April 26, 2004.

Unfortunately, during this process the schools of Our Lady of the Pillar and Immaculate Heart of Mary were consolidated, and a new school, School of Our Lady, was established at the Immaculate Heart campus. It became even more of a necessity to reach the goals of Project SUCCESS in order to avoid more school closures.

Project SUCCESS continues to grow. An Advisory Committee, as well as Marketing, Development, and School Improvement Committees are being formed to aid in the efforts of Project SUCCESS. Through annual campaigns, parish appeals, meet and greets, and fund raising events, Project SUCCESS is able to send our schools funds for tuition assistance and other school needs. Over $550,000 has been raised for the Project SUCCESS schools.