There’s never been a better time to ATTEND
Minnesota
Catholic Schools
Be part of a community that nurtures your children — mind, body and soul. Our Catholic school students benefit from excellent instruction and personal connections that help them reach their God-given potential.
Forming our future community, today
Your child’s educational experience during their critical formative years will have a lasting influence on future success.
The academic approach, adult and peer influences, and attention to each child’s success are important considerations when exploring options for your child’s first school or pursuing a school change. We believe a faith-based education strengthens our community for future generations.
Invest in your child’s future by enrolling them today in a Minnesota preschool – 8th Grade Catholic school.
Come as you are
We welcome all families to explore our Catholic schools. We’ll help you find a preschool – 8th grade school that best fits your child’s educational needs.
Ahead of the market where it matters most
In 2021, Twin Cities metro area Catholic schools, grades 3-8, had 25% more students proficient in reading and 28% more students proficient in math than alternative education options.
We’re implementing world-class tools and technologies for our schools to lead our preschool-8th grade students into the next generation. Here’s just a few of our successful education programs:
Believe and Read
Believe and Read provides innovative, best-in-class literacy coaching for teachers and transformational instruction for students that boosts the reading achievement of every kindergarten to grade three student, leading to higher confidence and greater comprehension.
Peace of Mind
In partnership with Twin Cities-based Phoenix School Counseling, Peace of Mind provides resources and education to Catholic schools to help their preschool- eighth grade students, families, teachers and leaders address and support the social and emotional needs of all school community members through a Catholic lens.
STEM Lending Library
In partnership with the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering, the STEM Lending Library provides access to STEM equipment, resources and instruction that is built upon the strong foundation of Catholic tradition, faith and service.
Pathways Program
In partnership with Bluum Educational Technology, the Pathways Program provides teacher training and instructional tools to best utilize, interpret and respond to NWEA Map Test assessment data for each individual learner.
Exceptional Learners
Serving students whose learning needs land outside the median often requires extra resources. To address this, the Exceptional Learners initiative was developed. From a group of experts who can work one-on-one with schools, to resourcing teachers with classroom tools, to teacher training and professional development – we are walking with schools in their mission to serve all children.
Middle School Excellence
The needs and growth opportunities at the middle school level are being thoughtfully addressed through careful study and reinvention of existing educational models. One of the focal points of this effort is to customize learning to the specific and unique needs of each middle school student.
Preschool Excellence
Parents are choosing early childhood education programs in Catholic schools because our preschool communities are an extension of their families and family values. Our early childhood programs are thoughtfully crafted to meet the specific needs of each child at his or her development stage. Providing a strong and consistent academic foundation encompassing our commitment to excellence in a faith based environment, young scholars transition to school with the foundational elements prepared to succeed in school.
Student Programming
Catholic school students from across the state are provided with unmatched opportunities to showcase their gifts and talents through Catholic Schools Center of Excellence programming – demonstrating their knowledge, creativity, and innovation as young entrepreneurs, in the arts, and the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
Catholic schools success
We make it easy to find a school
Find Catholic Schools is powered by the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence and serves as the premier online liaison for families to discover and pursue exceptional Minnesota preschool-8th grade education opportunities for their children.
Getting started
The team behind Find Catholic Schools is here to help you!
Where do I start?
Learn about Catholic Schools and explore helpful resources.
Parents and caregivers choose Catholic schools because they offer more than just a superior education, specialized programming at each grade level and extracurriculars that complement the classroom.
Our schools are committed to personal connections, knowing and loving each child and helping them recognize their value and God-given gifts and talents. Students are provided personalized attention, support and challenge to meet and exceed personal and academic goals.
Catholic schools help students to build character, virtue and high standards of personal responsibility. Students learn the value of service to others. And they graduate prepared to be ethical leaders. Catholic schools partner with families to nurture ongoing moral development.
With a 99% graduation rate, Catholic school students score significantly higher than national averages on standardized testing.
Catholic schools offer a variety of educational opportunities, such as STEM, language immersion, blended learning, Montessori, and unique extracurriculars. No matter your religious affiliation, Catholic schools walk with your child on their faith journey. Catholic schools are committed to collaboration with parents and caregivers to provide a community that supports your whole family.
What are my options?
Explore the interactive directory of Catholic schools.
There are more than 150 Catholic schools offering preschool-8th grade education in Minnesota. They share resources and best practices. They collaborate to provide support, opportunities and exceptional experiences for their students. But they all have unique features.
Catholic schools are set in rural, urban and suburban neighborhoods. Some are connected to a parish and others are regional (supported by more than one church).
Considerations as you begin your exploration:
- Distance from work or home
- Transportation needs
- School day start and end time
- Before and/or after school childcare needs
- School size preference
Who do I contact to take the next step?
Connect with a school liaison.
Once you’ve seen one Catholic school, you’ve seen one Catholic school.
The best way to know if a school fits your child and your family is to visit. Take advantage of the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence School Locator to identify options for your child.