Catholic schools in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington will observe National Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 25-31, 2026, joining Catholic schools nationwide in the annual celebration of Catholic education.
The week will be observed under the national theme, “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community,” and will include open houses, liturgies, and school-based activities highlighting the academic, spiritual, and community life of Catholic schools.
National Catholic Schools Week is held each year to recognize the contributions of Catholic schools to students, families, and communities. Schools typically mark the week with special events focused on faith formation, service, academic achievement, and community engagement.
Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Washington serve families throughout the District of Columbia and the five surrounding counties of Maryland, welcoming students from diverse faith backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences.
As part of the local observance, many schools host open houses, offering prospective families an opportunity to tour campuses, meet faculty and administrators, and learn about academic programs grounded in Catholic identity.
Open house dates are scheduled across multiple weeks to accommodate families’ availability. A complete list of open house dates is available on the Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools website at adwcatholicschools.org. Families may also arrange individual tours by contacting schools directly.
Throughout Catholic Schools Week, schools typically observe daily themes and activities that may include school Masses, service initiatives, family events, and recognition of teachers, staff, volunteers, and parish partners. Many schools also highlight alumni and invite community members to participate in school activities.
Catholic schools in the archdiocese reflect a long tradition of faith-based education that emphasizes academic instruction alongside moral and spiritual development.
As Catholic Schools Week approaches, school leaders view the week as an opportunity both to celebrate Catholic education and to welcome families interested in learning more about Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Washington.
Catholic schools in Archdiocese of Washington at a glance
The Archdiocese of Washington serves students and families through a broad and diverse network of Catholic schools across the region. Together, these schools reflect a shared commitment to faith formation, academic excellence, and service to the community.
The 90 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Washington include:
- 51 archdiocesan elementary schools serving students from prekindergarten or kindergarten through grade 8
- Eight archdiocesan early learning centers, focused on the foundational years of childhood education
- Two archdiocesan high schools – Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C.; and Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School in Takoma Park, Maryland, which is also sponsored by the Salesians of Don Bosco
- 13 independent Catholic elementary schools (PreK/K-8)
- Sixteen independent Catholic high schools
During the 2025-26 school year, the total enrollment in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Washington is 26,205, including 16,169 students attending local Catholic elementary schools,, and 10,036 students attending local Catholic high schools.
While governance structures vary between archdiocesan and independent schools, all Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Washington are united by a Catholic identity and a mission to educate the whole child: academically, spiritually, and morally.
