The opening bells rang, and tears flowed as more than 6,700 children across the Diocese of Venice returned to school for the 2025-26 Academic Year.
From pre-kindergarten to seniors in high school, the students will face rigorous course work which will develop them academically, physically – and most importantly – spiritually.
On the first day, friendships are renewed, new bonds are formed, and new challenges are accepted by students at every level.
At St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Port Charlotte, Principal Amy Barron and her team of faculty and staff were ready to go as waves of students arrived on campus Aug. 11, 2025, for the first day of school.
Barron and other staff and student safety monitors were outside for the carline – opening doors and greeting familiar and new faces alike. Many parents sought a last minute “First Day of School” photo, with many parents and children saying, “I love you!” before the children headed off to class. Wearing their school uniform – shirt or sweatshirt with the school logo, and blue shorts for the boys and skirts for the girls – the students were tired, but most were excited to be back. New students were shown where to find their homerooms, while returning students were greeted by name, with hugs and fist-bumps.
St. Charles offers a bus service to Arcadia and nearly 60 students arrived to school that way. Exiting the buses the students obediently lined up to wait for a pause in the carline, when they were guided by a teacher across the parking lot.
Some parents escorted the youngest children to the classroom where there were hugs, with parting comments from the parents including: “Have fun!” “Good luck!” “Miss you already!” and “I love you!” Following a few last photos, the parents departed, though a few lingered to watch through the small window on the door for a last glance. Once the parents were gone, everyone quickly settled into their seats comforted in the knowledge that they now had many new friends.
St. Charles has a courtyard where they student body gathers for a morning prayer service. Principal Barron welcomed everyone back: “Good morning, St. Charles!”
The theme for the first day was “Our future’s so BRIGHT we gotta wear SHADES!” which is based on a popular 1980s song by Timbuk 3. Each student was provided with a pair of sunglasses, which they wore during morning prayer.
“We are going to have a bright and exciting year. I know I can’t wait and I hope you can’t either,” Barron said.
Father John Fitch, Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish welcomed the students, saying that he prayed that the year ahead would be “filled with truth, beauty, and goodness.”
These scenes were repeated at each of the 15 Diocesan Catholic schools. The high schools had less tears and more fun as those students settled into their year. At each Diocesan Catholic high school – Bishop Verot in Fort Myers, Cardinal Mooney in Sarasota, St. John Neumann in Naples and Donahue Academy of Ave Maria Catholic School in Ave Maria – there were special “Senior Sunrise” welcomes for the graduating class of 2026. These gatherings take place on the respective football fields and are traditions at each of the schools, and include breakfast, a class photo and some fun for everyone – and yes, it is at sunrise!.
At Incarnation Catholic School in Sarasota, the first day included a Mass and orientation, with classes beginning on Aug. 12. The Knights of Columbus Incarnation Council 15322 offered a Back to School BBQ.
Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School in Venice, St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton and St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School in Naples start the year with new principals.
Of note, this year, St. Martha Catholic School in Sarasota marks its 75th year, while St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral is celebrating 35 years.
Each school was completely open by Aug. 13, with some staggering their starts over two days.
All 15 Diocesan Catholic schools are at or near capacity with extensive waiting pools at several schools. Final enrollment numbers are expected to exceed 6,700, an increase of 40 percent in the past five years. In fact, Diocese of Venice Catholic schools are the fastest growing Catholic school system in the country.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane said each Diocesan Catholic school works conscientiously “to provide Christ-centered learning experiences that are translatable to the real world, providing children with the tools they need to be successful beyond the classroom. In the Diocese of Venice, we do that well.”
Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, said there is a stress to continue to develop a strong “Catholic School Culture.”
“This culture is the vision, values, systems, language, expectations, behaviors, and beliefs that increase a school’s and Diocese’s chances of accomplishing the strategy of fulfilling its mission: to introduce the world to its Savior,” Father Belmonte said.
For more information about Diocesan Catholic Schools, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/catholicschools/.
