Dear Saber Families, Staff, Friends, Benefactors, Supporters,

We are well underway for the 2024-2025 school year. It has been an excellent start to the year and there is a ton of energy with our faculty, staff and students. We continue to make great progress in meeting the goals and objectives of our strategic plan. Our goal is always to be open and transparent about our progress and so we are pleased to share our Fall 2024 summary. Items in progress are in italics and items already completed will be bold. 

Fall 2024 Progress Report

Academics Domain:

• Began PLC groups for the ‘24-’25 school year for collaboration; PD for Differentiated Instruction; PD Team to help create consistent curriculum maps and lesson planning; Developing writing standards across the curriculum. AP Conferences and continuing PD throughout the year for many teachers

• Educator of the Quarter (sponsored by Horrace Mann) recognized throughout the year to highlight teachers

• Explore the block schedules model to see if that is the best fit for the school

• Beginning of the year retreat; Monthly Spiritual Development - Moral Theology Series in the Fall of ‘23

• Weekly newsletters, periodic updates from Chaplain, Principal, COO, Back to School Nights, New Family Night

• Added Dual Credit National Government, Dual Credit Music Theory, Dual Credit Computer Networking and AP Macroeconomics,Dual Credit Entrepreneurship through CUA 

• Implementing a new Placement Test that drills down data for incoming students; Compiled AP test scores over the past 7 years to see patterns and growth

• Implemented Lunch and Learn Series with professionals from our community and the larger community

• All Curriculum Maps were updated for the Universal Design method; Professional Development continues to support that methodology; Continual review of curriculum

Advancement Domain:

• “First Bank First Down” program for Football ($25/first down); Student Athlete of the Month through Country Financial

• Beginning with the Class of 2026 families, each was invited to school to meet with the COO. Families were asked to provide their thoughts on how the year is going, what they like and what they would change; shared the needs of the school summarized into the 4 P’s: Prayer, Promotion, Participation and Paying It Forward

• Working with donors to develop an Empower Illinois replacement program

• Director of Advancement has taken over the social media and brand formalization process

• Invitations to the area priests for Mass and Confessions; secured dates to go into the schools for their school Masses, bridging the gap between grade schools and STM

Catholic Identity:

• Messy Family Retreat co-sponsored by 2 largest partner schools held in Spring 2025

• MFL, Retreats, Steubenville Conference, CHWC, Wine & Wisdom, Small Groups

• Identified families from each partner school to assist in developing faith formation nights; implement these events for a quarterly night of Wine and Wisdom

• Offer School Masses at each of the Partner Schools to promote the One Family spirit

Enrollment:

• Increased involvement at the Partner Schools with targeted events for Junior High students such as Science Days for 7th and 8th Grade students, Mini-Madrigals has been restarted, Junior High nights for Football & Basketball,allowing partner schools to use our athletic facilities for baseball, softball, cross country, soccer, youth football 

• Partnering also with community leaders to reach an underserved population to make STM a possibility for families who may otherwise not be able to make it work financially

• In 2024, the NHS pivoted their Trivia Night to target Junior High students from the area 

• Summer camps are being marketed toward the Junior High students in the area

• Conducted parent information nights at our four partner schools and will repeat this school year, maned an informational table at Our Lady of the Lake in Mahomet

Facilities:

• An audit was completed over the summer of 2023. Draft plan is complete and awaiting further details from the facilities committee to determine priority

• Terracon came to campus in July 2023 and completed a physical condition assessment. The assessment will be used to determine age and replacement timeline of main building components

• Secured a state grant to upgrade security systems on campus; installed outdoor camera, new access control systems at each entrance and vape detectors in all restrooms and added and a check-in system added to the front office

• We’ve had a track assessment, H-VAC system assessment, and upgraded lighting and security. H-VAC system updates underway for control and monitoring system. Security cameras were added along the entire perimeter of the building, new access control panels

Finance:

• Feb 2024, Bishop Tylka approved a forgiveness of $1.8 million of schools opening debt

• Tuition rates have been revamped for the ‘23-’24 school year; the board members will also examine different models, particularly a pay-what-you-can model and a sibling discount

• Fundraised in ‘22-’23 and strategically planned to successfully institute a ~5% pay increase for the ‘23-’24 school year; incentivizing staff to stay with STM

Governance:

• Propose to the school board to develop a formal proposal to Bishop for officially moving to the President/Principal model

• STM’s board consulted with Central Catholic’s board to discuss how they made the change. Summer of ‘23 brought a new superintendent so the timeline has extended

Student Life:

• Director of Advancement was hired and has taken over social media posting and communication responsibility

• Continually examining clubs and other offerings, including some more dedicated Campus Ministry events and opportunities. Weekly House meetings have helped to improve students’ mental and spiritual strengths and capabilities

• The March for Life trip to Washington, DC was restarted in 2024 and was well-received by the students

• Guidance counselor worked with English teachers to ensure Naviance access for students, along with Common App and Parchment

• Hired a communications consultant who will make impactful and regular posts on our social media platforms

As you can see, there is quite a bit of work happening. Our Strategic Plan is guiding our decisions and we are seeing the results in our growth. Make no mistake, there is still much work to be done. We are all energized to continue our progress and look forward to providing you updates along the way. Our next report will be after the start of the next school year.

Thank you for all that you do to support this school. We simply cannot do our jobs without each of you.

Anthony Corapi, Chief Operating Officer; Sister M. Bridget Martin, Principal; Father Andru O’Brien, School Chaplain