Loyola Marymount University, through the School of Education, established the Center for Catholic Education in 2010 to build upon the successful practices of Catholic schools and to train succeeding generations of educators and administrators for the benefit of Catholic education.
Catholic schools are an integral part of the educational systems of urban centers across the United States, serving as pillars for many communities, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. In Los Angeles alone, almost 80,000 children and their families rely on Catholic schools to provide the moral, spiritual, and intellectual underpinnings that have enabled so many Catholic school graduates to become productive and socially conscious adults. The CCE is well-positioned to assist the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Diocese of Orange, the Diocese of San Bernardino, and Catholic dioceses across the country, in ensuring that the rich tradition of Catholic education endures and grows.
Many Catholic schools are facing significant challenges. Nationally, enrollment in Catholic schools has declined 12 percent in the last decade. In addition, many schools struggle financially. However, Catholic schools in Southern California are much more vibrant than in other areas of the country, due in no small part to the leadership in the local dioceses. To strengthen and grow, Catholic school systems are continuously in need of: professional development for teachers and administrators; education for an increasingly diverse student populations; research into the efficacy of Catholic schools; development of creative approaches to leadership within the schools, and more. LMU's CCE sees itself as a leading partner with the various dioceses to accomplish this.
The Center for Catholic Education brings together a broad range of successful SOE programs to advance PK-12 Catholic education by preparing teachers, training school leaders, increasing awareness of Catholic schools' impact on communities, and developing innovative ways to support Catholic schools. The CCE serves as an anchor for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Diocese of Orange, the Diocese of San Bernardino, and nationally so that the rich tradition of Catholic education continues to shape the children of today who will be leaders of tomorrow.
The Center for Catholic Education allows LMU's School of Education to function from a position of great strength in the support of Catholic education. LMU is the largest preparer of Catholic school teachers and principals in the nation, with an ideal approach to meeting the needs of Catholic schools and a track record of success.
- LMU has a history of working closely with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Diocese of Orange, the Diocese of San Bernardino, and Catholic Extension to support Catholic schools, regionally and across the country.
- The SOE has extensive experience assisting schools on leadership and governance issues.
- The CCE has taken the lead on Educational Law as it impacts Catholic schools.
- LMU is proud to have the most diversity of any Catholic School of Education in the country, and is the most effective at tackling diversity issues.
- LMU is a leader in research on Catholic schools.
- The CCE at LMU SOE hosts the Journal of Catholic Education.