A Message From the Principal

Message from the Principal

The Numbers Don't Lie

We enjoyed a wonderful 2009-10 school year spearheaded by an outstanding senior class made up of some of the nicest, most respectful young people found in any high school in the country. On behalf of the faculty and staff at Roncalli High School, I congratulate our newest alums and wish them well as they continue their life journey and seek to be that person that God is calling them to be. I also thank and congratulate the parents of our seniors. Those nice, respectful young people didn't just happen by accident. They were guided and loved from birth by caring, nurturing, Christian parents that have done a marvelous job in their sacramental role as their child's first and foremost teachers.

One of my favorite lines when meeting with a prospective student and their parents is to say, "Roncalli is not a perfect school!"

I quickly follow that up with, "However, I do believe it is a school where kids like getting up each morning and coming to school. It is a school where kids are truly happy in their time at school. It is a school where kids feel challenged and affirmed in their efforts to grow as a young person. It is a school where kids feel safe at all times." These comments are not just my opinion. In this Update I share with you results from a survey that is given annually to our seniors by the Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education. I think the results speak volumes about how much our students enjoy their time as students at Roncalli. Here is a look at the results from the past seven years of this senior survey.

We are pleased with the feedback that we continue to get from our seniors as it serves as strong affirmation that our students are having a very positive Roncalli experience. These results also give us feedback that is necessary to plan improvement strategies for our school. This feedback has played a role in the schedule of student assemblies that we have planned for the 2010-11 school year. I am very excited about that schedule of assemblies and will speak to it with more depth upon our return in the fall.

I served as an assistant boys' basketball coach under current RHS parent and then RHS head boys' basketball coach, Doug Opel, back in the mid to late 1980's. I learned a great deal from him about life, kids, motivation and basketball. He consistently kept a slogan in front of our team. "Good, Better, Best; never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best!" I have never forgotten that saying and have tried to keep it in front of all who are a part of the Roncalli Family as we strive to make Roncalli High School the very best place for a teenager to experience their high school years.

As always, I am eager to receive your feedback on my comments in this edition of The Update as well as any other thoughts you may have about Roncalli and the education we are offering our students and families.

Please join me in praying each day for a safe, enjoyable summer for all in the Roncalli Family and for all in our South Deanery.

Results from graduating seniors surveyed about their career at Roncalli
  (Class year) '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10
Was your guidance counselor helpful in the selection of a path to follow after graduation? % Yes 82 84 86 85 88 90 86
  % No 18 16 14 15 12 10 14
Did your Catholic high school encourage you to continue your education? % Yes 97 96 96 98 95 97 98
  % No 3 4 4 2 5 3 2
Did your Catholic high school provide you with a strong academic preparation for the future? % Yes 100 99 98 98 95 99 97
  % No 0 1 2 2 5 1 3
Were you challenged to complete higher level Courses (AP, Core 40, Academic Honors Diploma)? % Yes 95 92 90 92 88 91 89
  % No 5 8 10 8 12 9 11
Did you have a positive Catholic learning experience at your high school? % Yes 93 94 96 96 87 91 94
  % No 7 6 4 4 13 9 6
Did students treat other students fairly at your high school? % Yes 78 77 86 81 81 88 89
  % No 22 23 14 19 19 12 11
Did your high school experience give you a strong background in the values and beliefs of the Catholic Church? % Yes 88 92 92 92 80 90 92
  % No 12 8 8 8 20 10 8

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