Our Work

The Catholic Schools Foundation is proud to celebrate the 389 CSF grade school scholars graduating this year, the largest class of grade school graduates in the CSF history.

This milestone represents extraordinary growth. Since FY20, CSF has grown by more than 100 annual grade school graduates, reflecting the strength of our partner schools, the commitment of our families, and the generosity of the CSF community.

Even more importantly, these graduates are taking their next steps with purpose, promise, and opportunity.

Nearly 70% of this year’s CSF eighth-grade graduates, 261 students, will continue their education at Catholic high schools, the largest number in CSF history. That is 20 more students attending Catholic high schools than last year, an 8% increase, and 71 more CSF elementary school graduates continuing in Catholic schools compared to FY20.

Together, 75% of CSF’s eighth grade graduates will attend high-performing Catholic, exam, or private schools next year. In addition to the 261 students attending Catholic high schools, 18 students will attend private schools, 13 will attend Boston exam schools, and 35 will attend vocational schools.

CSF graduates will be represented at 29 different Catholic high schools, a powerful reminder of the many doors that open when students are given access to a strong foundation in Catholic education.

This year’s graduating class also includes 15 GO Scholars, 5 Inspiration Scholars, and 13 select Peter Lynch Scholars. These scholarship programs recognize students for their academic promise, character, work ethic, and financial need, while helping make a Catholic high school education possible.

The GO Scholarship Program supports financially in-need students graduating from CSF-sponsored elementary schools as they continue to Catholic high school. The Inspiration Scholarship is one of CSF’s most competitive scholarship opportunities, recognizing high-performing students with both merit and need. The Peter Lynch Scholars program honors high-achieving eighth graders who demonstrate exceptional work ethic and financial need, continuing Peter Lynch’s long legacy of commitment to Catholic education.

This year’s Inspiration Scholars will attend Newton Country Day School, Fontbonne, Central Catholic High School, and Saint John’s Preparatory School, four outstanding Catholic high schools where they will continue to grow academically, spiritually, and personally.

Across CSF partner schools, scholars are already distinguishing themselves through academic excellence, leadership, faith, creativity, service, and perseverance. Schools shared stories of graduates receiving academic honors, religion awards, scholarship recognition, leadership awards, perseverance awards, school spirit awards, and community service honors. These achievements reflect the whole-child formation that Catholic schools provide: academic excellence, faith, character, leadership, and service.

At Saint Columbkille Partnership School, CSF scholars were recognized as GO and Peter Lynch Scholars and earned a wide range of honors, including the Spirit of the Class Award, the Carolyn Keough Shea Memorial Scholarship, Excellence in Spanish, Excellence in Math, an Academic Achievement Medal for earning an A- or above in all middle school classes, Excellence in Art, and Excellence in Religion. One CSF scholar was also selected to speak at graduation, representing classmates and celebrating the journey of the Class of 2026.

At St. Pius V School, CSF scholars were recognized as GO and Peter Lynch Scholars and earned several academic and leadership honors. Graduates received Presidential Academic Fitness Awards, scholarship recognition to St. Mary’s High School and Malden Catholic High School, a Perfect Attendance Award, and leadership recognition through Student Council. One scholar, who also received a full Garrity Scholarship to St. Mary’s High School in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and leadership, delivered a reading during graduation, and designed the school’s 2025–2026 yearbook cover.

At Saint Anthony’s School, CSF scholars were recognized with the Salutatorian Award, the Valedictorian Award, a GO Scholar Scholarship, and a Lynch Scholar Scholarship.

At Immaculate Conception School in Lowell, CSF scholars were recognized with several school awards and scholarships, including the Integrity Award, Principal Award, Drama Club Scholarships, the James Polcari Scholarship, Gold Seal Presidential Education Awards, and a Silver Seal Presidential Education Award.

At Sacred Hearts School, CSF scholars were recognized for high honors, excellence in art, Christian commitment, and generosity within the school community. At Saint Patrick School in Stoneham, a CSF scholar received the Paul R. Corkhum Award, the President’s Award for Educational Achievement, and the Religion Content Award. At Bellesini Academy, CSF scholars earned awards in social studies, science, honors math, perseverance, and leadership. Other partner schools shared photos, graduation updates, and notes of pride as their CSF scholars prepared to take the next step in their educational journeys.

These accomplishments are more than individual moments of recognition. They are the result of families who believe in the power of education, schools that nurture each student’s potential, and donors who make opportunity possible.

For CSF, this record-breaking class is a celebration of both achievement and momentum. More students than ever are graduating from CSF-supported elementary schools. More students than ever are continuing on to Catholic high schools. And hundreds of young people are moving forward with the confidence, preparation, and support they need to thrive.

To the CSF Class of 2026: congratulations. We are proud of all you have accomplished, and we cannot wait to see where your next chapter leads.

Help Us Build the Next Chapter

Our 8th-grade graduates have reached an incredible milestone, but their journeys are just beginning. They have four crucial years of high school ahead of them, and hundreds of younger scholars in the grades below are counting on that same opportunity. Your generosity ensures these students have the continuous support they need to thrive all the way to high school graduation.

Donate Today to Support Our Scholars