The St. Leo Catholic School’s The Lion’s Share supports our school’s continued growth and success by focusing on three critical areas: school beautification, staff retention, recruitment, and rewards, and tuition assistance. Each of these areas plays an essential role in nurturing the spiritual, academic, and community environment that makes our school thrive. Your generous contribution will help us enhance our facilities, attract and retain exceptional educators, and ensure that Catholic education is accessible to all families who desire it.
School Beautification
The appearance and upkeep of our school campus reflect our values of excellence and pride in the place where our children learn, pray, and grow. A welcoming, well-maintained environment inspires both students and staff, fostering a sense of belonging and reverence. Moreover, a beautiful campus supports our mission of educating the whole child—spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and socially.
Examples of Fund Usage:
- Interior renovations: Updating classrooms and common areas with fresh paint, flooring, and new furniture that engage students and encourage academic growth.
- Exterior enhancements: Adding increased lighting and landscaping to improve both safety and the aesthetic appeal of our campus.
Staff Retention, Recruitment, and Rewards
The quality of education at St. Leo Catholic School is directly tied to the dedication and expertise of our teachers and staff. It is essential that we provide competitive salaries, opportunities for professional development, and recognition for the hard work our staff puts into educating our children. Retaining and attracting talented educators ensures that our students receive the highest level of instruction and faith formation.
Examples of Fund Usage:
- Salary enhancements: Increasing compensation to remain competitive with local schools and reward long-term staff for their dedication.
- Professional development opportunities: Providing ongoing training in both educational techniques and spiritual development, allowing teachers to stay current with best practices and deepen their ability to integrate faith and learning.
- Recognition and reward programs: Celebrating staff achievements through activities and small incentives that build morale and show our appreciation for their invaluable work.
Tuition Assistance
As a Catholic school, we believe that all families, regardless of financial circumstances, should have the opportunity to provide a catholic education for their children. By expanding tuition assistance, we can ensure that no child is turned away due to an inability to pay. A diverse student body enriches our school community and reinforces our mission of providing a Christ-centered education to all who seek it.
Examples of Fund Usage:
- Scholarship programs: Offering financial aid packages that help bridge the gap for families who need partial or full assistance to afford tuition.
- Emergency tuition assistance: Supporting families facing unexpected financial hardships, such as illness or job loss, so they can continue providing their children with a Catholic education.
- Expanded outreach: Partnering with local parishes and communities to identify and recruit students who would benefit from tuition assistance but may not otherwise have access to catholic education.
The Lion’s Share will enable us to enrich the experience of every student, support the dedicated individuals who lead and teach in our school, and ensure that a Catholic education remains available to families of all income levels. Together, we can create a more beautiful, dynamic, and inclusive school environment that lives up to our mission of educating children in faith and excellence.
We invite every member of our school community to prayerfully consider contributing to this important fund. With your help, we can continue to build on our foundation of faith and provide an exceptional Catholic education for years to come.
The Sister Emma Yondura Endowment Fund
For over twenty-five years, Sister Emma Yondura, S.S.J., has been an integral part of the fabric of St. Leo Catholic School -- as a beloved first grade teacher, as the school's facilitator of Catholic identity, and as our after school care leader. First-graders have been Sister’s love since she began as a teacher in the Diocese of Charlotte in 1970, and her students have learned from her how to do their very best, as God has called them to do.
The Sister Emma Yondura Endowment Fund is being established to honor and commemorate Sister Emma’s inspiring legacy at St. Leo Catholic School. The endowment will enable St. Leo to award a full scholarship annually to a rising first-grader whose family would not be able to afford a St. Leo education otherwise.
Please prayerfully consider a gift to the Sister Emma Yondura Endowment Fund, and help us ensure that Sister Emma’s legacy will endure at St. Leo for generations to come.