Reinventing Education: How NYC Catholic Schools Adapted to Declining Scores

A couple of years back, 13-year-old Liam Seminara found himself struggling in school. Aiming for a fresh start, he switched to St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy in Brooklyn, and the change paid off.

Now an eighth grader, Liam excels in his studies, performing beyond grade level standards. He is enthusiastic about reading and plays an active role in the school’s robotics team, a testament to his academic growth since joining St. Joseph.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress revealed a concerning drop in reading scores nationwide for fourth and eighth graders, with average scores falling by five points since 2019, exacerbated by the pandemic.

Only 30% of eighth graders nationally are proficient in reading, as per the latest NAEP findings. However, in Brooklyn's Diocese, nearly 70% of eighth graders are excelling in both reading and math, according to district statistics.

Innovative Strategies for Improved Learning

Even before the pandemic hit, the district had noticed a downward trend in scores, prompting them to rethink their teaching methods, according to Deacon Kevin McCormack, superintendent for Brooklyn and Queens Catholic Schools.

"We needed to overhaul our mindset," McCormack commented. In response, they introduced new initiatives such as appointing specialized coaches to refine teachers' instructional methods.

Sophia DeMartino, an English instructor at St. Joseph, speaks highly of her coach, Stephanie, for her guidance. She often consults Stephanie to enhance her lesson plans with small yet impactful changes.

Another pivotal part of their approach is customizing lessons to match each student’s proficiency by forming small learning groups.

"In small groups, we tackle the same subjects but in ways that make it more digestible for us," Liam explained. "Sometimes it's the entire class, but often it's divided to fit individual needs."

DeMartino emphasizes the critical need to instill a love for reading in students, fearing that a lack of interest can have severe consequences.

"Many of my students dream of careers in fields like the NFL," DeMartino noted. "Understanding complex texts like contracts is essential in achieving such dreams."

Funding and Future Implications

With around one-third of the district's students receiving financial aid, the new educational programs rely heavily on tuition and fundraising efforts.

McCormack is optimistic that their model can serve as inspiration across U.S. schools.

"It certainly has potential," said McCormack. "The important aspect is inclusivity and meeting students where they are to elevate them to their fullest capabilities."