Catholic Schools

Students in Catholic elementary and high schools encounter God through in their prayer,  their coursework, their social activities, and in each other. Read stories of how students, teachers, and parents in Catholic Schools are Lighting the Way.

Lending a shovel

In the days leading up to Catholic Schools Week, three Butler Catholic School students exemplified the motto “Pittsburgh Catholic Schools: Lighting the Way” by voluntarily shoveling snow that had kept a Butler Township resident homebound.

Celebrating Schools

Catholic Schools Week begins this Sun, Jan. 30 with students, staff and families celebrating all that is good in Catholic education.

Students and stress: raising awareness

Northside Catholic Assumption Academy counselor Kacy Ruffin says stress and anxiety is a real issue for students. She works as an advocate in raising awareness of the issue.

One school, four bishops

Seton LaSalle Catholic High School is celebrating the news that a fourth alumnus has been named a bishop, Bishop-elect Mark Eckman.

Free food, big surprise at Ave Maria Academy

A parent praising her kids’ teachers on social media has led to a $25,000 grant from McDonald’s. Ave Maria Academy’s Mt. Lebanon campus will use the funds for theater productions.

School mural depicts a life of love

Bishop David Zubik blessed a mural of Mabel Grammer at St. Benedict the Moor School in Pitttsburgh. A Black U.S. journalist and Catholic, Grammer led a campaign to find homes for mixed-race “brown babies” of German women and African-American soldiers who were born during the occupation years in Germany following World War II.

Golden Apple winner’s teaching inspires all

For Golden Apple Winner Emily Janocha, her school has become one big family. Alongside the academics she teaches, Janocha shines a spotlight on her students as their drama and music teacher.

Going for gold for her school and the kids

Seven educators in the Diocese of Pittsburgh have been honored with the Golden Apple Award, recognizing their excellence in the classroom, church and community. This week we feature Seton LaSalle teacher Meloni DiPietro Guthoerl.

Teacher is ‘all in’ for her students

Seven educators in the Diocese of Pittsburgh have been honored with the Golden Apple Award, recognizing their excellence in the classroom, church and community. This week we feature Ave Maria teacher Lisa Radzanowski.

Golden Apple winner rooted in faith

Seven educators in the Diocese of Pittsburgh have been honored with the Golden Apple Award, recognizing their excellence in the classroom, church and community. This week we feature Serra Catholic HS associate principal Robert Childs.

Giving her heart & soul to students

Seven educators at Catholic schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh have received the 2021 Golden Apple Award: Darci Smith-  teacher, Archangel Gabriel Catholic School Mallory Gurney- teacher, Blessed Francis Seelos Academy JoLynn Clouse- principal, Saint Wendelin School Robert Childs- associate principal, Serra Catholic High School Meloni DiPietro Guthoerl- teacher, Seton LaSalle High School Emily Janocha-…

Teacher goes the extra mile

Seven educators in the Diocese of Pittsburgh have been honored with the Golden Apple Award, recognizing their excellence in the classroom, church and community. This week we profile kindergarten teacher Mallory Gurney of Blessed Francis Seelos Academy.

Golden Apple educators named

Seven educators in the Diocese of Pittsburgh have been honored with the Golden Apple Award, recognizing their excellence in the classroom, church and community. This week we profile St. Wendelin School principal JoLynn Clouse.

Mary’s faith is inspiring others

Mary Maloney is making progress in her battle to walk again after a trampoline accident left her partially paralyzed. She returned to school this week at Blessed Francis Seelos Academy in Wexford to the cheers, tears and prayers of her school family.

Inspired by young people

Catholic school students are involved in their parishes as altar servers, volunteering at fish fries and growing in faith.

Lighting the Way for Catholic Schools Week

Despite ongoing challenges facing teachers and parents, Catholic schools are “lighting the way” in leading young people to God, according to the top educator in the diocese.

Learning & growing

It takes a village to raise a child, as the saying goes, or, in the case of Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin Catholic School, some help from the neighbors.

Regional schools’ successes

Keeping students safe and learning in school remains a priority this year, but the board president of the North Hills Regional Catholic Elementary Schools sees another big challenge—engaging the community.

Sharing values and a new future

Merging elementary schools is never simple, especially in the midst of a pandemic. But teachers, students and parents at the new Ave Maria Academy are rising to the occasion.

Celebrating Our Lady of the Rosary Feast Day

What a sight in the sky near near Archangel Gabriel Catholic School in Robinson earlier today! Students and teachers were outside, praying below a balloon rosary to celebrate the annual feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary.

A sports season unlike any other

In classrooms and gymnasiums and on playing fields, Catholic students are cooperating with new health and safety protocols, while understanding there are no guarantees in the age of COVID.

Keeping students safe and learning

Students are learning an unexpected lesson as they work with their teachers and parents to receive a quality Catholic education during the coronavirus pandemic.

Back to school, 2020

On September 8, 2020, Catholic elementary students stepped back inside classrooms across the Diocese of Pittsburgh for the first time in nearly six months.

School miracle amid COVID-19

Like many principals, Ed Sharbaugh was struggling to fill classrooms and pay bills in the midst of a pandemic. Then a miracle happened.

Teachers, parents ‘doing an amazing job’

Their dining room has turned into a classroom. Mornings are spent online, learning lessons about math, reading and vocabulary. And the family’s fervent faith is helping them through challenging times.