Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley and Archdiocese of Boston Catholic School Superintendent Eileen McLaughlin will visit Saint Columbkille Partnership School, 25 Arlington Street, Brighton, MA, on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 10:00 am to welcome students, teachers and staff back to school for the start of the new school year.
Superintendent McLaughlin is beginning her first year as superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese. She and the Cardinal will visit with students and teachers and tour several classrooms. To learn more about Saint Columbkille Partnership School, please visit the school website at www.stcps.org.
“The first day of the school year is always an exciting day for our students, teachers, staff, and families,” said Cardinal Seán. “Visiting Saint Columbkille Partnership School with our new Superintendent Eileen McLaughlin is especially significant as she begins her tenure leading our Catholic Schools. A product of Catholic education, Superintendent McLaughlin has spent her career working and leading schools in the Archdiocese and brings a wide breadth of knowledge based in real life classroom experience to the position.”
Superintendent McLaughlin said, “This is a great day for our students and families, but it also a wonderful day for our teachers, staff, and school leadership. I am thrilled to be able to visit Saint Columbkille Partnership School on this first day of school with the Cardinal. It was the Cardinal’s vision and willingness to involve the laity, colleges, and expertise of so many others to help further and sustain the important mission of Catholic education.”
The Saint Columbkille Partnership School is the result of an innovative and unique partnership between the Archdiocese of Boston, St. Columbkille Parish, and Boston College. After nearly closing in 2006, Cardinal Seán and Rev. William Leahy led the effort to transform the former parish school into a diverse and thriving preschool/kindergarten, elementary and middle school with a strong enrollment of nearly 400 students.
With a local and active Board of Trustees that bring expertise in faith formation, academics, technology, facilities, education, development, business, enrollment has grown from 180 students to nearly 400 today. The partnership has led to a well-resourced school with quality faith formation, academics, teacher support programs, renovated facilities, and updated technology. As a lab school of Boston College, this unique relationship enhances opportunities for teacher training, educational research, and professional development. This partnership also ensures best practices in curriculum and instruction at Saint Columbkille and provides a knowledge base for innovation that helps facilitate educational advances at Catholic schools nationwide. A 10-year strategic plan is being finalized to ensure the school’s long-term sustainability.
To learn more about Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Boston, please visit csoboston.org.
Media is invited to cover the visit and should confirm their attendance by emailing tdonilon@rcab.org.