by The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — “The future generation is currently in our building,” said Dr. Melissa Wagner, principal of Holy Cross School in Overland Park. “They are the future of our church and they are the future of our world. And I see kind, generous, faith-filled children, ready to take on the challenges of the world and be evangelists of our faith.”
Leading with their Catholic faith, Holy Cross serves students in preschool through 8th grade, with families from 35 different zip codes in the Johnson County metro. While their diverse student population is not without its challenges, Holy Cross partners with parents to help students grow spiritually and excel in their academic pursuits.
The success of these initiatives and their faith-focused mission earned Holy Cross this year’s Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann School of Excellence Award from the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) and was on display recently when the archbishop and visitors from the Catholic Education Foundation visited Holy Cross.
“Holy Cross has worked exceptionally hard to be one of the best elementary schools in our community,” said Vincent Anch, CEF executive director. “It shows in their academic achievement, the faith formation of their students and how they operate so efficiently.”
Programs like their Family Literacy and Math Nights and innovative STREAM curriculum have helped Holy Cross experience remarkable improvements in the standardized assessment scores across all grade levels in recent years.
“Holy Cross is a great example of why Catholic schools across the country are so successful right now,” added Anch.
Now in its 19th year, the Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann School of Excellence Award is bestowed annually by CEF to a K-8 Catholic school in northeast Kansas receiving support from the foundation’s traditional scholarship program. Each school is evaluated based on five main criteria: joyfully Catholic, diligently achieving, intentionally self-giving, prudently managed, and forwardly thinking.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication everyone here puts into providing an exceptional Catholic education for all of our students,” said Wagner.
Saint Benedict School in Atchison was selected as the first finalist, followed closely by the second finalist, Our Lady of Unity School in Kansas City, Kansas.
Established in 1997, the Catholic Education Foundation has transformed the lives of children and families by providing access to an exceptional K-12 Catholic education at schools in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
For the 2023-24 school year, CEF is providing more than $4.7 million in scholarships to support nearly 2,000 students at Catholic schools throughout northeast Kansas, with the highest percentage of students living at or below the poverty level.
“CEF’s Archbishop Naumann School of Excellence Award is a great honor that is well-deserved by the school community of Holy Cross,” said Dr. Vince Cascone, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
“Under the leadership of Dr. Melissa Wagner,” he added, “Holy Cross Catholic School has thrived and has been moving in a very positive direction.”
In addition to bragging rights and additional funding from CEF, Holy Cross will be recognized at Gaudeamus, CEF’s annual benefit gala, on Oct. 28 at the Overland Park Convention Center.
“Gaudeamus,” which is Latin for “Let us rejoice,” is CEF’s annual fundraiser, and proceeds from the celebration support scholarships for students in need.
