VASJ awarded $41,500 in grants from the Diocese of Cleveland

Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School has been awarded two grants for a total amount of $41,500 from the Rooted in Faith – Forward in Hope campaign, a part of the Expanding the Educational Landscape grant through the Diocese of Cleveland.

“We are very grateful for this important support from the diocese,” said VASJ President Richard Osborne ’69. “We appreciate the confidence these grants demonstrate in our work on behalf of our rapidly growing student population.”

The first grant in the amount of $18,000 was awarded for technology upgrades. These funds will allow the school to get new wiring and cables for the building which will increase the wireless capability and connectivity speed while also serving as the first step in becoming a 1:1 school in which each student has their own computer or device.

“It enables us to continue to move in the direction of 21st century learning,” says Principal David Csank. “We will be one step closer to student-driven learning in which our students have more freedom and flexibility in their learning process.”

The second grant in the amount of $23,500 was awarded for facility upgrades. Several facility projects are either under way or will be undertaken this summer. Cosmetic improvements will be made both inside and outside the building, a new parking entrance is nearly complete, a new gym roof is planned and both the chemistry lab and Ministry Center will be renovated. The diocesan facilities grant will be used for restroom renovations.

“We are continually looking to enhance the student experience both inside and outside the classroom,” said Osborne. “On the academic side, these efforts explain why 100 percent of our seniors are headed to college this fall. The VASJ story is having quite an impact, which is why our enrollment is on track to increase dramatically once again next year.”