WHEELING — Catholic Schools Week once again will be celebrated at parochial schools throughout the United States this week.

This year’s theme will be “Catholic Schools: United In Faith and Community,” and across the nation, each day during the week will feature its own theme.

Sunday kicked things off with “Celebrating Your Parish,” which honors the religious guidance parishes provide. Monday is “Celebrating Your Community” where students learn the importance of service to others.

Tuesday brings “Celebrating Your Students,” honoring the accomplishments of students in Catholic schools, while Wednesday brings “Celebrating the Nation.” On National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools, students, families, educators and other Catholic school supporters communicate the value of Catholic education to government leaders.

“Celebrating Vocations” is the theme for Thursday, where Catholic schools prepare children to use their God-given talents to the fullest later in life.

On Friday, schools will be “Celebrating Faculty, Staff and Volunteers,” as schools will honor teachers and principals as well as administrators and staff who support them in their work and thank those who provide volunteer service. The week concludes Saturday with “Celebrating Families” and the importance of students’ families in their life.

The Wheeling-Charleston Diocese schools will join in on the festivities, and have plenty to be excited about. According to data from the diocese, enrollment grew from 4,370 students statewide in 2022-23 to 4,452 in 2023-24 to 4,673 in 2024-25. Forty-three percent of Catholic school students are non-Catholic.

The diocese’s Class of 2025 had a 100% graduation rate and 100% of Catholic students participate in various community service projects throughout the year. Thirteen of 18 Catholic elementary and middle schools in West Virginia have waiting lists at one or more grade levels.

The 177 graduates of the Class of 2025 across the diocese’s six high schools were awarded $20 million in scholarships, including National Merit Semifinalists, two West Virginia University Bucklew Scholars and one WVU Foundation Scholar.