Summer's over for SA Catholic schools

Emotions, excitement run high among students, parents

SAN ANTONIO – Although some campuses got a jump start last week, as of Monday, summer is officially over for most of the 44 Catholic schools under the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

Among those that resumed classes was Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in the 600 block of Oblate, where parents and students, their emotions and excitement running high, arrived for the start of the new school year.

"I'd be lying if I didn't say I was a little sentimental. He's walking through a new door. It's another year and so he's that much closer to high school and that much closer to college," said parent Gavino Ramos.

His son -- also named Gavino -- said he looking forward to starting middle school, "with new teachers, new classes and new friends."

San Antonio Catholic schools also will have Marti West as their new superintendent of the department of Catholic schools. West had served in that capacity on an interim basis.

Michael Fierro, Blessed Sacrament's principal, said enrollment has fluctuated through the years, but tuition assistance through the archdiocese and private donations has helped make a Catholic education possible for more students.

"Families are looking for a faith environment for their children, a good academic program and a sense of community," Fierro said.

An estimated 13,000-14,000 students are enrolled in Catholic schools in San Antonio, according to the Archdiocese of San Antonio.


About the Author:

Jessie Degollado has been with KSAT since 1984. She is a general assignments reporter who covers a wide variety of stories. Raised in Laredo and as an anchor/reporter at KRGV in the Rio Grande Valley, Jessie is especially familiar with border and immigration issues. In 2007, Jessie also was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame.