“See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
Isaiah 43:19
The ITCE at The Catholic University of America is committed to the renewal and full flourishing of K-12 Catholic education.
Our Mission
The Institute for the Transformation of Catholic Education (ITCE) at The Catholic University of America advances the distinctive excellence of Catholic education as a gift for each person and for society. We foster a vision of education and formation that is rooted in Christ, draws from the great treasury of the Church’s tradition, and aims at the full flourishing of the human person in wisdom, virtue, and holiness. We inspire and promote the spiritual, intellectual, cultural, and operational renewal and transformation of our nation’s PK-12 Catholic schools through teacher and leader degree and professional development programs, school accreditation, and research.
Promoting a four-fold transformation
2 Corinthians 5:17
Spiritual
Renewal and Transformation
We foster spiritual renewal and transformation because Jesus Christ, the Word Made Flesh, is the center of all of life and creation. In a Catholic school, students come to know God through an encounter with Christ:
in His Word and Sacraments, in prayer, in the splendor of His created universe, and in the most beautiful and noble achievements of humankind. Students, teachers, and staff are invited to find their home in His community, the Church. In an environment imbued with the Gospel spirit of freedom and charity, students come to know their inalienable dignity, the purpose and goal of their lives, and their mission in this world. We guide educators to embrace their call to discipleship so that they can in turn lead students and their families to know the God who is both Love and Logos.
Intellectual
Renewal and Transformation
We foster intellectual renewal and transformation because God reveals Himself to us through the light of faith and the light of reason. Truth is real and has the power to make us free. We foster the encounter with the living God who, in Jesus Christ, reveals Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life (cf. Jn 14:6).
Through a rich interdisciplinary education, our programs guide educators to seek truth and to love learning in a spirit of joy. We cultivate wonder, which leads to the desire for knowledge, wisdom, and holiness. We guide schools in providing a holistic and integrated curriculum that is defined by the Catholic intellectual tradition and attuned to all that is true, beautiful, and good, forming the whole person, body, mind, and soul.
Romans 12:2
Luke 12:49
Cultural
Renewal and Transformation
We foster cultural renewal and transformation because an education that leads to wisdom, virtue, and human flourishing benefits individual life and society.
We provide formation that encourages families, parishes, and school communities to impart an education that is illumined by the Gospel, informed by the Catholic worldview, and capable of inspiring students to think critically, communicate well, serve others, and integrate their faith into their everyday life and future vocation.
Operational
Renewal and Transformation
We foster operational renewal and transformation because we are called to be leaders who spread the good news of Jesus Christ and inspire others to follow Him.
We identify, form, and support school leaders who can understand and operationalize our mission as a Catholic school. Animated by this leadership, school settings become places of an immersive Catholic culture that is intentional, viable, and vibrant.
Matthew 5:14
Our Vision
To promote the great treasure of the Church’s educational tradition and form disciples of Christ who transform the world.
