Marian Catholic High School's goal is to provide a quality education while teaching faith-based Christian values.

Over the years, the Catholic school, located in the Hometown area of Tamaqua, has seen growing enrollment numbers, a sign that what is offered is what parents are looking for when it comes to their child's education. Marian serves the school districts of Palmerton, Lehighton, Jim Thorpe, Panther Valley, Tamaqua, Mahanoy City, North Schuylkill, Hazleton and Weatherly.But even with 364 students currently enrolled, officials are always looking for ways to increase interest in the school.Increasing enrollmentTeresa Sheer, director of studies/enrollment, explained that through the newly formed Marian Board of General Jurisdiction, which started in November 2013 as a result of the Most Rev. John O. Barres' 2010 initiative to increase enrollment and improve school management, the school has created packages that promote everything Marian has to offer.She pointed out that because one-third of the students come from the Hazleton Area School District, the committee has focused on sending out postcards to parents in the Hazleton area announcing open houses, parent nights and more.In addition, representatives visit partner schools in the nine school districts to answer questions about what Marian offers and financial aid that is available to students who would like to attend. The school also partners with churches and prep classes to send information out to potential students and their families."We really are seeing an increase in interest, which usually means an increase in enrollment," Sheer said.Sister Bernard Agnes, IHM, principal of Marian Catholic, said that there are transfer grants available for students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades who wish to come to Marian and were previously in a public school."You receive $2,000 for the first year, and $1,000 for the second year," she said, noting that tuition for one student at Marian will be $5,300 for the 2015-2016 school year.Bernard said what makes Marian stand out to many of the students and their families is the atmosphere."We want to promote faith, and we want to provide a space where students can express their beliefs and practice their religion," she said. "We're not all Catholics here. There are a lot of other faiths, but we are teaching the students how to live in harmony with one another."Funding sourcesIn addition to increasing enrollment numbers, the school also boasts a strong donor base and fundraising organization, which helps cover many of the costs associated with the students' education. It currently costs Marian Catholic $8,956.86 to educate a single student, and the school has a total annual budget of over $2 million.Sue Ann Gerhard, director of development and alumni, said the school has approximately 11,000 alumni and donors who support the school financially through its annual fund drive. To date, 79 percent of the $125,000 annual fund goal has been raised for the school. The fund drive started July 1, 2014, and ends June 30.Students, families and faculty members will participate in a phone-a-thon next month to reach out to donors who have not yet given.The other financial partner that supports the school is Men of Marian, an organization established in 1964 when the school was built to meet the needs of the Allentown Diocese families in Carbon and Schuylkill counties.Gerhard pointed out that over the last 16 years, Men of Marian has raised $1,697,241 for the school, which goes toward providing funding for transportation, student insurance, maintenance of the facility, medical supplies, the school's athletic teams' needs and financial aid.Looking to the futureGerhard, Sheer and Sister Bernard agree that the future at Marian is bright, noting that the Class of 2015 will be the 60th graduating class of the school, which formed in 1954, and the 50th class to walk across the stage at the current high school.To find out more information about the school and what it has to offer, Gerhard said an open house is planned for Sunday.The event, which will kick off Catholic Schools Week 2015, will run from 1 to 3 p.m., with registration beginning at 12:30. Students and parents can learn what programs are available and get tours of the facility.In addition, Marian Catholic will also host a number of events for the students throughout the week as a way to promote Catholic education, as well as service to the community.For more information on Marian, call the school at 570-467-0641, 570-668-2225 or visit

www.mariancatholichs.org.