XCS Media Release

Release Date: December 5, 2023

Metro Area Catholic Schools to Officially Join Together Under Singular Governance as Xavier Catholic Schools

Regis Middle School and LaSalle Catholic Middle School to Consolidate into a Single Location

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA -- It has been decided that it is in the long-term best interest of parishes and Catholic education in the metro area for all of its Catholic schools to become a system and for Regis Middle School and LaSalle Catholic Middle School to become a consolidated 6-8 middle school. All metro Catholic schools will now join together as a single corporation and represent Xavier Catholic Schools in an official capacity beginning July 1, 2024.  

In August 2022, a 19-person task force composed of pastors, parish representatives, and school administrators began an extensive exploratory study to determine whether or not it was in the long-term best interest of parishes and Catholic education in the metro area for Catholic schools to remain independent.

In February 2023, a separate 27-person exploratory committee composed of pastors, administrators, and parish/school representatives began an investigative process to determine whether or not it was in the long-term best interest for the metro Catholic middle schools to remain independent or become consolidated. It was determined by each respective group that PreK-12 metro Catholic schools should become a formal system and that the Catholic middle schools should be consolidated. These recommendations were then presented to parish leadership during the Summer of 2023.  The pastors of the metro area parishes met in November 2023. Pastors collaborated and discerned the recommendations, arriving at a consensus to move forward with both measures (systemization and middle school consolidation). It was determined that St. Joseph’s School in Marion will remain a PK-8 building for a minimum of five years, at which time system needs will be reassessed. 

Metro Catholic schools have been operating under the Xavier Catholic Schools brand since 2013, but each school has maintained its own individual structure of governance over the past 10 years – with each school having its own respective school board. During that time, administrators and educators across Xavier Catholic Schools have collaborated regularly in the areas of enhancing their shared Catholic identity, supporting students and teachers, engaging with the community, and achieving high participation in co-curricular activities.  

“The Cedar Rapids Metro has a strong legacy of forming and educating students in their human, spiritual, intellectual and social dimensions,” shares Archbishop Thomas Zinkula, Archbishop of Dubuque. “The collaboration announced today will only enhance our schools and parishes. Thank you to the many parish and school volunteers and pastors for their work on this monumental project.”

A formal Xavier Catholic School system will result in greater efficiency in establishing a common and clear mission, vision, and long-range plan that is committed to Catholicity; consistency in academic programming across all schools; increased pay and benefits for staff; K-12 fundraising initiatives to address facilities, programs, and salaries; expanded child care (infant through preschool); system-wide teacher training at grade and subject level; consistent integration of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), tuition, and need-based tuition assistance; a consistent parish subsidy formula; and an improved use of human and financial resources. 

“As the task force conducted its analysis, it became clear that one of the critical opportunities systemization provides the community is having all schools and parishes working formally together with a single mission and vision supported by specific goals to strengthen Catholic education in the metro area,” states Jeff Henderson, Cedar Rapids Metro Task Force Chairperson and former Xavier High School Principal. “Working together in the areas of spirituality, academic excellence, student services, teacher training and support, physical plant needs, budget efficiencies, and fundraising consistently across all parishes is exciting and filled with so much opportunity. There is still so much work to do, but this is a key and important first step towards an even higher level of Catholic educational excellence.”

A consolidated middle school will positively impact families by providing a common approach to tuition (regardless of school chosen or parish enrollment); enhancing solidarity by providing a unified middle school experience; and a greater connection to the community. It would also result in greater academic and co-curricular opportunities for students; an opportunity for greater diversity; and help to ensure equity in high school academic preparation. For teachers and staff, a consolidated middle school offers greater collaboration opportunities; a more efficient use of resources; and the ability to teach in an environment better suited for 21st Century learning. Regis Middle School (formerly Regis High School) opened in 1958 while LaSalle Catholic Middle School (formerly LaSalle High School) opened in 1963. Regis and LaSalle High Schools merged to form Xavier High School in 1998.

Xavier Catholic Schools are part of the Archdiocese of Dubuque and currently consist of eight buildings: Xavier High School (Grades 9-12), Regis Middle School (Grades 6-8), LaSalle Catholic Middle School (Grades 5-8), LaSalle Catholic Elementary (Grades PK-4), St. Joseph’s School, Marion (Grades PK-8), All Saints Elementary (Grades PK-5), St. Matthew’s Elementary (Grades PK-5), and St. Pius X Elementary (Grades PK-5). The total K-12 enrollment for Xavier Catholic Schools for the 2023-2024 school year is 2,104 students.

Work will begin immediately to identify and create a new Xavier Catholic Schools school board, determine a process for central office leadership hiring, and conduct a feasibility study about current and possible future locations for a 600-student consolidated middle school for Grades 6-8. 

Comprehensive information about these efforts, including the final recommendations for systemization and consolidation with executive summaries, survey data, meeting minutes, frequently asked questions, and more can be found at https://www.crxaviercatholicschools.org/cr-metro-task-force and https://www.crxaviercatholicschools.org/ms-committee. 

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