Outlook bright for Catholic schools

Angela Gunderson stood before a room full of engaged listeners, spreading newfound hope for Catholic schools.

Catholic schools across the country.

And in Oklahoma.

Gunderson, president of Milwaukee-based Meitler, a Catholic consulting group, presented data drawn from a 2023 survey conducted in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City to gauge the potential for opening new Catholic schools, or reopening previously closed schools.

Studies show the COVID-19 pandemic and a proliferation of school choice initiatives have spurred interest and growth in Catholic schools, reversing decades-long movement to close schools around the country.

And Gunderson’s reasons for optimism captivated the crowd gathered for the Association of Catholic Professionals luncheon in May, drawing questions from across the room.

Of particular interest: the survey reflected that Oklahomans do not want to invest in watered-downed Catholic schools. 

“Families in Oklahoma are looking for a school that is unapologetically Catholic,” Gunderson said. 

She reported that 20 Catholic schools have opened across the country this year, due to shifting demographics, state funding options and a willingness to find alternative educational options. The commitment to Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City is vital and evident based on the survey. 

Increasing the number of seats available is imperative to meet the expected growth in population and demand for Catholic schools. Although birth rates are declining globally, Gunderson noted the population in Oklahoma – specifically the Oklahoma City metro area – is expected to increase well into 2070.

Gunderson talked about the positive impact of school choice programs around the United States. In Oklahoma, school choice scored a major victory in 2023 with the legislature’s approval of Parental Choice Tax Credits, which provide families with annual state income tax credits of $5,000-$7,500 per child to help with private school costs.

The program is expected to be a tremendous benefit to families in existing Catholic schools and assist with the creation of new schools across the archdiocese. 

“When we provide financial opportunities to parents in Catholic schools, they jump on it,” Gunderson said.

She added that before building a Catholic school, factors that must be considered are school culture, enrollment potential, cost of facilities, curriculum, how many grades to have in the school, how many students, how many teachers and how much to pay teachers.

An interesting aspect of the study for the archdiocese was the high desire for religious sisters to serve in schools, part of a desire from parents for their children to see religious and clergy in the school.

Following the initial Meitler survey, the archdiocese retained the firm to further study the feasibility of starting a school at Saint Monica Catholic Church in Edmond and to reopen the long-closed Saint Teresa of Avila school in Harrah. In both cases, the local pastor has appointed a steering committee to oversee the feasibility process.

The Assembly of Catholic Professionals meets quarterly at the Petroleum Club. Meetings include networking, lunch and remarks from guest speakers. The theme for this year is “Building Tomorrow: Empowering Catholic Professionals for Evangelization.”

To view Angela Gunderson’s speech or for more information about the ACP, visit cfook.org/acp or call (405) 709-2745.

Abby Escobedo is an intern for the archdiocesan Secretariat for Stewardship and Development.


Archbishop Coakley and Angela Gunderson. Photos Avery Holt.