Announcing the Drexel Mission Schools Initiative

On May 19, 2020, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis announced the creation of the Drexel Mission Schools Initiative. The effort, to provide renewed commitment and support to nine Catholic schools that serve low-income families, rose out of the Roadmap for Excellence in Catholic Education announced last year.

“The Aim Higher Foundation is proud to join with our partners, GHR Foundation and Catholic Community Foundation, to support the Drexel Mission Schools Initiative,” said Jean Houghton, president of the Aim Higher Foundation. “We know Catholic schools provide unmatched benefits to children from all backgrounds, but we also know students from low-income families, in particular, experience an academic boost in Catholic school environments. The Drexel initiative is an important tool in the toolbox of interventions to close the achievement gap in the Twin Cities, the second largest in the country.”

Research shows students from disadvantaged backgrounds who attend a Catholic school are 42% more likely to graduate from high schools on time and 2.5 times more like to attend a college. To support the initiative, the Aim Higher Foundation will be providing additional scholarships to students attending the nine schools.

Learn more about the Drexel Mission Schools Initiative at the Catholic Spirit.

Nine Catholic schools serving low-income families to receive renewed support