DOMAIN 4Operational Vitality
Standard 10 - An excellent Catholic school provides a feasible three to five year financial plan that includes both current and projected budgets and is the result of a collaborative process, emphasizing faithful stewardship.
St. Bonaventure School is an excellent Catholic school that develops, carries forward, and monitors a feasible three- to five-year plan, including both current and projected budgets that are the result of a collaborative process, emphasizing faithful stewardship and ensuring sustainability. St. Bonaventure School has annual budget systems and processes with published income and expenditures, as well as a 3rd party person to validate monthly budgets.
The 3rd party process includes an outside accountant, the parish finance council, and the diocese finance office. Additionally, the school has in place a 5-year strategic plan. Evidence includes the Strategic Plan, which forecasts projected enrollment and needed facility/maintenance supports to increase the Catholic community, approved detailed budgets, Finance Council meeting agendas, Chart of Accounts, Annual Giving Newsletter, and FACTS Grand and Aid reports. However, the need for a short-term 3-5 year budget forecast is necessary to better forecast and support the financial plan.
Standard 10: Narrative Rationale
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The school maintains a comprehensive annual budget process with published income and expenditures, supported by third-party validation of monthly financial reports to ensure accuracy and transparency.
A well-established five-year strategic plan guides the school’s ongoing growth, priorities, and mission-aligned decision-making.
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Form a dedicated finance committee to strengthen fiscal oversight, support informed budgeting decisions, and enhance collaboration and transparency in managing the school’s financial health.
Establish a short-term financial projection to strengthen planning, resource allocation, and long-term stability.
Key Strengths & Growth Areas
Data Library Evidence
School Survey Evidence
Standards of Excellence School Vitality Survey: Parent/ Community and Faculty / Staff - Click HERE
Standards of Excellence School Vitality Survey: Students - Click HERE
Standard 11 - An excellent Catholic school operates in accord with published human resource/personnel policies, developed in compliance 27 of 37 Standards of Excellence Self-Study Report, St. Bonaventure School, E355 with (arch)diocesan policies and/or religious congregation sponsorship policies, which affect all staff (clergy, religious women and men, laity and volunteers) and provide clarity for responsibilities, expectations and accountability.
St. Bonaventure School is an excellent Catholic school that operates in accord with the school’s published human resource/personnel policies, developed in compliance with the policies of the Diocese of Orange and Catholic social teaching regarding the dignity of work, with an understanding of how federal/state policy impacts school policies, which affect all staff (clergy, religious women and men, laity, and volunteers) and that provide clarity for responsibilities and accountability. St. Bonaventure School follows State and Diocese Human Resources regulations with transparency and equal treatment. Additionally, benefits are available to all qualified employees, with the Faculty Handbook aligning with the Diocese handbook with site specific policies. Evidence of this includes organizational charts, Diocese and school handbooks, and Basecamp internal employee information system. An area of opportunity is to provide comparable salaries with public and private schools within the area in order to acquire and retain the best talent. This is recognized in the development of the Strategic Plan 2025.
Standard 11 Narrative Rationale
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The school upholds all HR regulations with fairness, clarity, and equal treatment for all employees.
Benefits are accessible to all qualified staff, and the Faculty Handbook is fully aligned with Diocesan policies to ensure consistency and compliance.
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Research and implement alternative approaches that strengthen teacher retention and support long-term staff commitment.
Work toward offering salaries that are competitive with both public and private schools to attract and retain high-quality educators.
Key Strengths & Growth Areas
Data Library Evidence
School Survey Evidence
Standards of Excellence School Vitality Survey: Parent/ Community and Faculty / Staff - Click HERE
Standards of Excellence School Vitality Survey: Students - Click HERE
Standard 12 - An excellent Catholic school develops and maintains a facilities, equipment, and technology management plan designed to continuously support the implementation of the educational mission of the school.
St. Bonaventure School develops, implements, and monitors a facilities, equipment, and technology management plan that is consistent with Catholic social teaching regarding the environment and that continuously supports the implementation and sustainability of the school's educational mission. St. Bonaventure School has systems and procedures for school safety and maintenance, which are communicated internally and externally, such as security cameras, a security guard, a partnership with city law enforcement, and walkie-talkies for all staff. Additionally, it has proactively developed systems and procedures for school safety and maintenance, with continuous practice to ensure effective implementation. There is an opportunity to assess and evaluate effectiveness thoroughly, and to continuously explore best-in-class school technology and programs for future implementation.
Standard 12 Narrative Rationale
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Systems and procedures for school safety and maintenance are communicated internally and externally.
The school actively develops, updates, and practices safety and maintenance procedures to ensure effective implementation and continual readiness.
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Improve student learning, physical development, creativity, and innovation by providing dedicated, well-equipped spaces that support physical education, STEM instruction, and music education, aligned with the school’s Catholic mission and Schoolwide Learning Expectations (SLEs).
Establish a dedicated technology committee to guide decision-making and strategic planning.
Key Strengths & Growth Areas
Data Library Evidence
School Survey Evidence
Standards of Excellence School Vitality Survey: Parent/ Community and Faculty / Staff - Click HERE
Standards of Excellence School Vitality Survey: Students - Click HERE
Standard 13 - An excellent Catholic school enacts a comprehensive plan for institutional advancement based on a compelling mission through communications, marketing, enrollment management, and development.
St. Bonaventure Catholic School is an excellent Catholic school that develops and implements a comprehensive strategy for institutional advancement based on a compelling mission through communications, marketing, enrollment management, and development. St. Bonaventure's Marketing and Advancement offices proactively execute marketing practices that successfully bridge the gap between tuition and expenses while also effectively building a strong, Catholic community. Consistencies in Marketing and Advancement practices are highly attributed to expertise and longevity within the dedicated staffing of those offices. Evidence includes regular and consistent communications through Saints Connect, social media platforms, Parent Alert texts and emails, Spirit Store, FACTS, partnerships with sub-committees and room parents, and data management to track engagement across all digital touchpoints. Written documentation of the St. Bonaventure Marketing plan would facilitate lessons learned and guide future development opportunities.
Standard 13 Narrative Rationale
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Marketing and Advancement offices proactively execute marketing practices that successfully bridge the gap between tuition and expenses while also effectively building a strong, Catholic community.
Consistencies in Marketing and Advancement practices are highly attributed to expertise and longevity within the dedicated staffing of those offices.
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Research and pursue new revenue-generating opportunities to strengthen the school’s long-term financial stability.
Explore innovative strategies to connect with alumni and foster ongoing, meaningful engagement with the school community.
Key Strengths & Growth Areas
Data Library Evidence
School Survey Evidence
Standards of Excellence School Vitality Survey: Parent/ Community and Faculty / Staff - Click HERE
Standards of Excellence School Vitality Survey: Students - Click HERE
Summary of Domain 4
St. Bonaventure School demonstrates strong operational vitality through sound financial stewardship, effective governance, and strategic planning that support long-term sustainability. The school operates with a transparent annual budgeting process that includes published income and expenditures and multiple layers of oversight, including an outside accountant, the Parish Finance Council, and the Diocese of Orange Finance Office. In addition, the school maintains a five-year strategic plan that forecasts enrollment trends and facilities needs, ensuring alignment with the school’s mission and growth goals. While these systems reflect prudent financial management, developing a more detailed short-term three- to five-year budget forecast has been identified as an opportunity to strengthen financial planning and sustainability.
Operational strength is further reflected in the school’s adherence to diocesan and state human resource policies, ensuring fairness, accountability, and respect for employees. Clear personnel policies, aligned faculty handbooks, and internal systems support transparency and consistency, though the school recognizes the need to remain competitive with regional salary benchmarks to attract and retain high-quality staff. Facilities, safety, and technology systems are well established, with proactive measures in place to ensure campus safety and maintenance, supported by partnerships with local authorities. Additionally, St. Bonaventure implements a comprehensive advancement strategy through effective communication, marketing, enrollment management, and development efforts that foster community engagement and financial stability. Continued growth opportunities include formalizing written marketing plans and conducting ongoing evaluations of facilities and technology to ensure continued alignment with best practices and the school’s educational mission.