WHAT IS THE ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN?

The annual campaign, Blessed Are the Children, is a yearly campaign to raise $170,000 for Saint Philip the Apostle School. These funds help to bridge to gap between tuition and what it actually costs to educate a child at Saint Philip the Apostle School.

HOW DID THIS CAMPAIGN BEGIN?

In the past, Catholic schools were staffed almost entirely by religious personnel, making tuition artificially low. Today, like most Catholic schools, Saint Philip the Apostle School is entirely lay-staffed. With increases in salaries and the costly demands of technology, Catholic schools have had to find additional sources of funding to continue to provide a quality education.

WHY NOT CHARGE MORE TUITION?

Saint Philip the Apostle School fulfills its mission of providing a quality Catholic education regardless of family income level, race or ethnicity, by keeping tuition affordable for all parish families. We see our diversity as a strength, which provides our students with a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. We could not charge more tuition without compromising this important mission and our very rich educational environment.

TWELVE REASONS TO SMILE….

Since its inception in 1992, annual giving has allowed Saint Philip the Apostle School to:

• Hire two part-physical education teachers, two part time art teachers and a music teacher, and classroom aides for all the grades.
• Hire Spanish, science and computer teachers
• Hire a part time nurse, a part time school psychologist, and a full time Development Director.
• Incorporate a hands-on science program in kindergarten through 8th grade.
• Provide the educational opportunity of field trips for all grades.
• Increase staff salaries to 90% of Pasadena Unified School District rates.
• Set aside $12,000 annually for staff development.
• Upgrade textbooks and additional educational tools.
• Purchase new desks for the junior high classrooms.
• Grant over $100,000 in tuition assistance last year… and so much more.

FACTS ABOUT CATHOLIC EDUCATION

• The success of Catholic schools is deeply rooted in the practices and tradition of 280 years of Catholic education in the United States.
• Catholic schools are not just for the “select few.” Research indicates they play a key role in serving disadvantaged youth and are more effective in educating minority and low-income students.
• 3% of Catholic high school students drop out compared to 14% of public school students.
• 83% of Catholic high school graduates go on to college compared with 52% of public high school graduates.
• Approximately $63 million in college scholarships is awarded to Catholic school graduates every year.
• 27 Catholic schools have been names National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education since 1986.

WHY SHOULD I GIVE TO THIS CAMPAIGN?

Studies show that over 75% of Americans believe more should be done to improve the equality of education in our schools today. Your tax-deductible donation ensures that Saint Philip the Apostle School will continue to:

• Keep tuition at an affordable level so that all children are able to realize the advantage of a Catholic education - a special gift in today’s world
• Maintain academic excellence in an atmosphere of spiritual nourishment
• Maintain a competitive wage for our skilled and caring faculty and staff
• Encourage the personal attention given to each student’s needs and talents
• Embrace diversity and mutual respect, and to give some level of scholarship funding to families who could not otherwise afford to send their child or children to St. Philips.

BUT I DON’T HAVE CHILDREN AT SAINT PHILIP THE APOSTLE SCHOOL

Maintaining a parochial school is the responsibility of a community. Without the support of the parish and Pasadena community, we could not exist. Continuing the mission and philosophy of the school depends on maintaining a bon between parish and the school. For the parishioners, this lifelong habit extends well after their children have left the school.

DOUBLE YOUR MONEY

If you or your spouse is affiliated with a matching Gifts company, you can double to triple your contribution at no extra cost to you. Simply check to see if yours is a Matching Gift company, obtain a Matching Gift form from your employer and send it along with your donation to Saint Philip the Apostle School.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Saint Philip the Apostle School is to provide each student a learning environment in which their spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical needs are met.

As an essential component of the teaching ministry of Saint Philip the apostle Parish, the school provides an exceptional education my integrating Catholic values with high academic standards and service to others. The school embraces diversity and mutual respect, and seeks to inspire each student to adopt their unique role as a child of God.