The Catholic Community Foundation awarded Annunciation Catholic School a $20,000 grant in its competitive “Youth and Education” category. The grant will partially fund a special needs student program serving students at the Cave Creek school with learning disabilities.
It will also support a resource teacher and instructional materials to provide students with special needs the support they need to be successful at their grade level. A qualified resource teacher assists Annunciation students in and out of the classroom to develop foundational skills and also provides instructional support with daily work.
Special needs programs are rare in Catholic schools because faith-based schools do not have access to federal or state funds for special education. Grants from philanthropic foundations like the Catholic Community Foundation make it possible for students with special needs to have the benefit of a Catholic education that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. Donations from individual benefactors also support this program.
“CCF has been so instrumental with their generosity of $20,000 to supplement our special needs student program, which we are extremely proud of,” Marty Roop, president of Annunciation Catholic School’s advisory board, said in a press release. Annunciation is the only Catholic school north of Loop 101.
The Catholic Community Foundation awards grants through a competitive application and review process. One of the goals of the Catholic Community Foundation is to provide greater opportunities for learning and development by enriching the education environment.
“Annunciation School helps provide a creative solution to meet these special needs,” Deacon Ron TenBarge, grants committee chairman, said in a press release.
Annunciation Catholic School is the newest school in the Diocese of Phoenix. It serves the communities of Cave Creek, Carefree, Anthem, North Scottsdale, North Phoenix and Desert Foothills.
