The Rochester Catholic Diocese is hoping a new survey will improve the future of the Catholic education.

The Center for Governmental Research (CGR) is conducting the survey. Families currently enrolled in Catholic schools, families that exited schools in the last two years, and families, whose children are enrolled in faith formation classes, but not in Catholic schools, are participating in the survey.

According to CGR, surveys are sent to all households in the first two groups, and a sample of the non-enrollees. Families have a choice between an online and paper survey.

"This is a chance to look at the whole picture, a chance to look at people who are enrolling in Catholic schools and those who are not enrolled; what some of the issues are. We might be able to market ourselves in a concise way, so folks realize the quality of a Catholic education that we offer across the diocese," said Anne Willkens Leach, superintendent of Catholic Schools.

Responses go directly to CGR and are kept confidential. CGR will analyze the results and present them to the Catholic Diocese for review and possible implementation. Responses are due by Monday, August 23.

The Catholic Diocese is hoping that parent's responses enable them to be more responsive in meeting the needs of families.

Diocese of Rochester