Our Mission

The mission of the National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools (NAPCIS)  is the solidarity, strength and security of small schools teaching the Catholic Faith. NAPCIS seeks to assist in providing for the spiritual and academic growth of our nation’s Catholic school children, all directed to the greater honor and glory of God and the perpetuity of His Church on Earth.

Fulfillment of this purpose comes through consistent and intelligent adherence to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church and from the implementation of reasonable and demonstrated practices of education. 

What is NAPCIS?

NAPCIS is:

  • an accreditation association
  • a teacher certification program
  • a resource agency to assist in the start-up of small schools
  • a service agency to assist administrators and teachers in the application of  Catholic teaching and sound academic principles

Why was NAPCIS formed?

NAPCIS was formed:

  • to provide accreditation and teacher certification for small schools teaching the Catholic Faith;
  • to promote and assist in the start-up of new private Catholic and independent schools;
  • to assist administrators and teachers in private Catholic and independent schools in applying Roman Catholic teachings and sound academic principles; and
  • to assist in the guarantee of the right of parents to choose an education for their children in accordance with their religious faith.

On July 13, 1995, representatives of four private Catholic and independent schools (represented on our logo) met at Sweetwater Retreat Center, Guerneville, CA. The schools in attendance were: Kolbe Academy, Napa, California, Manresa Academy, Reno, Nevada, St. Maria Goretti Academy, Sacamento, California, and Thomas Aquinas School, Tahoe City, California. Based on the experience of the member schools present, they determined the necessity of establishing a national organization to preserve and promote Catholic education founded in obedience to the Pope and Magisterium. NAPCIS has since grown from its four charter-member schools to now include over 67 schools coast to coast.

Who governs NAPCIS?

NAPCIS is governed by a Board of Trustees

Eileen Cubanski, Sacramento, CA

Dan Guernsey, Ed.D., Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, FL

Denise Donohue, Ed.D., The Cardinal Newman Society, Manassas, VA

Arthur Kunath, M.D., St. Edmund Campion Academy, Cincinnati, OH

Joseph Norton, Holy Angels Academy, Louisville, KY

NAPCIS is supported by…

Our Episcopal Advisor

The Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke, D.D., J.C.D.
Patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta

Our Council of Scholars

Dominic Aquila, D. Lit.&Phil.

Louise Desilets

Rev. Joseph Fessio, S.J.

John Galten

James Gaston

Alice von Hildebrand, Ph.D.

Arthur M. Hippler, Ph.D.

Ann Malone

Rev. Anthony Mastroeni

James Merkel, Ph.D.

Roberta Noonan, Ph.D.

Patrick D. O’Meara

Robert Spencer

Rev. Joseph Terra, F.S.S.P.

LOGO

The four interlocking anchors represent the four charter members of NAPCIS, symbolizing strength, unity, common purpose, and a mission to evangelize.

DISCLAIMER

The word “Catholic” appears in the name of the organization only to reflect the fact that some member schools have received the consent of the competent ecclesiastical authority in their diocese to bear the title Catholic School in accordance with c.803.3. NAPCIS claims no authority to determine if a member school may bear this title, nor does membership in NAPCIS permit a school to call itself Catholic.