Mission & Touchstones

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…" Hebrews 10:24

There is no greater or more worthy challenge than educating and nurturing our students to become whole human beings. We use the principles embodied in our mission and touchstones to guide this sacred work.

Mission

Eastside Catholic School is a Catholic faith-based educational community where students learn to integrate their thinking and believing in ways that encourage intellectual excellence, nurture relationships and inspire a life of leadership and service to others.

Touchstones

The Eastside Catholic Touchstones were developed over the years by the school community and adopted by the board of trustees, to set forth in more detail how we fulfill our mission.

Academic Excellence

Eastside Catholic School students will:

Be inspired to pursue studies that foster God’s gifts of curiosity, creativity and spirit of wonder leading to a love of independent scholarship.
Act as fair-minded and self-reflective critical thinkers by practicing the following habits of mind: intellectual courage, humility, empathy, integrity and perseverance.
Learn relevant concepts and authentic skills within a rigorous curriculum guided by standards of excellence in a culture of collaborative inquiry.
Excel in communication within and across disciplines, demonstrating mastery in writing, reading, speaking, active listening and responsible use of technology.
Inform and enlighten their consciences by understanding the catechism, sacraments and practices of the Catholic Church.
Seek justice by applying the principles of Catholic Social Teachings to societal structures and contemporary world problems.
Understand and respect other faith traditions through ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue.
Examine and embrace the value of a diverse, interconnected world by understanding and appreciating the dignity and worth of all persons.
Cultivate the exchange and challenge of new ideas.
Develop the cultural competence necessary for functioning ethically and effectively in an increasingly complex, global society.
Develop their aesthetic and artistic sensibilities to enhance the quality and meaning of their lives and to appreciate the richness of the human spirit.
Demonstrate significant academic achievement in their knowledge and skills each year.

Relationships

Eastside Catholic School will encourage students to:

Explore their personal relationship with God by deepening their understanding of what it means to be a person of faith and a member of a faith community.
Acquire a love and appreciation of self.
Recognize and appreciate the love and support of family and friends.
Develop meaningful relationships within the school community.
Learn from dedicated, knowledgeable and reflective teachers who are committed to student learning and their own professional development.
Respect and show compassion for others.
Demonstrate a commitment to respect and support all members of the school community in a way inspired by Christ’s love.

Servant Leadership

Eastside Catholic School will:

Guide students by using the teachings of the Catholic Church and the loving example of Jesus Christ.
Cultivate true leaders who positively influence others through their example.
Provide students with a safe environment with high personal, moral and social standards.
Expect accountability and ethical behavior.
Enhance the gifts of students with special needs in an integrated environment such as our high school Options Program.
Accept and embrace those with different faiths and social, ethnic and economic backgrounds.
Encourage students to seek a balanced life through the development of their artistic, physical and intellectual talents.
Celebrate a spirit of active community involvement and service.
Encourage students, faculty and staff to be responsible citizens who use their intellect and talent in loving service to others.
Encourage students to develop a lifetime commitment to the seven principles of Catholic social teaching.

Catholic Identity Statement

At Eastside Catholic, we embrace the charism of St. Francis of Assisi within the Catholic tradition and practice inclusivity by welcoming students of all faith backgrounds. We believe each member of our diverse community brings unique gifts that can be used to foster personal, communal and spiritual growth. Grounded in the Gospel of Jesus and unconditional love, we live this mission through formal liturgy and informal ministries of presence, service and relationship formation.

Contributing to the Eastside Catholic family invites commitment to:

Bring one's whole self to a community that values and fosters the growth of the person God has called us to be.
Nurture one's interior life, rooted in the Gospel and person of Jesus, welcoming all and learning from all.
Cultivate the body, mind, and soul through prayer, study, and extracurricular activities.
Be an instrument of God's peace and justice in our hearts, our relationships, our communities and our world.

The human spirit must be cultivated in such a way that there results a growth in its ability to wonder, to understand, to contemplate, to make personal judgments, and to develop a religious, moral and social sense.”Pope John Paul II