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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
 Dr. Michael J. Coury
mcoury@fatherlopez.org
In one of my earlier messages this school year, I shared with you our plans to participate in a Diocesan-wide feasibility study to address local needs in the five Catholic high schools in our Diocese. Thirty-six community members participated in private interviews with consultants to discuss the level of interest and the potential for a capital campaign to address the priorities for Father Lopez. Additional feedback was sought through an online survey that was made available to everyone in our email database.
As you may recall, our identified priorities for those discussions and survey were centered around proposals for baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, a music classroom, debt reduction, parking lot expansion and some Diocesan-wide educational initiatives. Interviewees and survey participants were also asked to share perceptions of the school and the quality of education students receive.
The planning study yielded very helpful information for us and for our plans for the proposed campaign for Father Lopez. Some highlights from the study are shown below.
* Overall perception of Father Lopez is extremely high with 98% of respondents rating their overall perception of the school as excellent (46%), above average (45%) or average (7%).
* Majority of responses (87%) indicated that Father Lopez students receive either an excellent (37%) or above average (50%) education.
* Ball fields, tennis courts, music classroom and debt reduction received a moderate level of interest; the parking lot expansion and Diocesan-wide initiatives were only of minimal interest.
* A large number of participants indicated that even though they are pleased with the education students receive, if added, a focus on strengthening academics (particularly through a STEM-type program) would become their highest priority.
Based on the feedback we have received, we will be making some adjustments moving forward. Our priority will now focus on the development of a STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Math) program. The Diocesan-wide initiatives have been removed from our plans. The other priorities that were tested are not being dismissed. However, we want to first address the specific feedback we heard from this study. We anticipate addressing the other needs in the future, too.
I would be remiss if I did not redirect your attention to the high marks referenced in the first two bullet points. The consultants reemphasized to us that these were unusually high marks for any school to receive. I am certainly pleased and proud to share those comments with you.
We are truly blessed to have talented and dedicated educators who choose to serve the Lopez family. We value the trust that parents have placed in us, and we applaud the efforts of our students. However, we cannot rest on our laurels. The results from the feasibility study challenge us to strengthen our already fine academic program.
I am excited about the possibilities this presents for all of us, and especially for the next generation of Lopez learners. Working together, we will have the opportunity to transform an already fine Catholic, college-preparatory high school into a GREAT Catholic, college-preparatory high school!
Thank you for your interest and for your continued prayers and support for Father Lopez Catholic High School and the students we are privileged to serve.
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