CCSTA’S MEMBER HIGHLIGHT SERIES: Manitoba Catholic Schools

“Catholic schools provide a unique environment in which a well balanced education is provided in the context of a caring Christian community. In a Catholic school a child’s spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional needs are attended to through a program that places an emphasis on both academic achievement and character formation. It is our desire to educate students in such a manner that they are challenged to develop their gifts so that they may put their lives at the service of God and of the community.”

Manitoba Catholic Schools Website

Faith, perseverance and incredible community support – this is what stands out at first glance of Manitoba Catholic schools.

One of only two partially-funded provinces, Manitoba is home to a flourishing Catholic school system which exemplifies what can happen when true partnerships are formed between a diocese, parents and supporters. With a head office situated in the Archdiocesan offices, Manitoba Catholic schools are closely connected with the life of the Archdiocese. Their unique school system relies on the support and generosity of the surrounding community and despite the challenges of partial funding, has grown into a thriving Catholic school system with almost 5800 students.

This thriving school system continues to grow steadily. Many Manitoba parents value Catholic education and continue to choose this school system for the faith environment which nurtures the values, traditions and beliefs of the Catholic Church and the high-quality academics.

We’re thrilled that Manitoba Catholic Schools will be hosting the 2026 CCSTA AGM & Conference and we look forward to seeing glimpses of this Catholic school system throughout our time together! 

A look at the numbers in Manitoba:

Schools: 19
Students: 5776 currently enrolled
Staff: Approximately 600

A brief history…

Manitoba Catholic schools have a long history of being sustained in and through the dedication, sacrifice and generosity of surrounding communities. Manitoba Catholic schools survive and flourish through the incredible sacrifice and dedication of religious orders, bishops, pastors, parishes, and parents who bore the original vision for these schools. It’s through them that Manitoba Catholic schools were built and continue to operate.  

The Catholic community in Manitoba had their rights diminished with the Public Schools Act of 1890 that appropriated the school system and ended constitutional rights for fully funded denominational schools in Manitoba.

That right still exists in the Manitoba Act – an act of the Parliament of Canada that is defined by the Constitution Act of 1982 as forming part of the Constitution of Canada.  Because of the Fair Funding Agreements of the 1990’s, these constitutional rights are not being pursued.  

Funding Structure

Each year, Manitoba Catholic schools receive funding from the Province of Manitoba based on 50% of the public school education costs of two years prior. Catholic schools in Manitoba receive no funding for capital expenses or for the costs associated with maintenance of school buildings. These costs are funded by the parish to which a school is associated with and by student tuition.

Protecting the Catholic Identity of Schools

Catholic schools and parishes are closely connected in Manitoba. This fundamental aspect of Manitoba Catholic schools helps align the mission of schools with the mission of the Church and strengthens the efforts in maintaining the Catholic identity of schools. 

The following four priorities are currently supporting and strengthening Catholic identity within schools:

1.       Strengthening relationships with school pastors;

2.       Creating faith development opportunities for staff;

3.       Promoting the hiring of Catholic teachers through advertising and hiring policies;

4.       Integrating Catholic teaching and values across the curriculum.

Diocesan Involvement

The Manitoba Catholic School Superintendent office is housed in the same building as the Archdiocese of Winnipeg. The Manitoba Schools office provides administrative and support services to the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, Archdiocese of Saint Boniface, and the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg. The Superintendent’s office maintains excellent communication with the Archbishops from both the Winnipeg and Saint Boniface Archdiocese.

The Manitoba Catholic Schools Board of Consultors, created in 2017, is an advisory board to the Archbishops. It is made up of the following members:

  • The Archbishop of Saint Boniface
  • The Archbishop of Winnipeg
  • The Superintendent of Catholic Schools
  • The Manitoba Representative to the Canadian Catholic Schools Trustees Association
  • Nine other members who are school Pastors, Directors, or Members at Large appointed by the Archbishops

Each Catholic school operates under the jurisdiction of an ecclesiastical public juridic person and has a Canonical Administrator. In the parochial and interparochial schools, the pastor is the Canonical Administrator. In schools run by religious orders, the Canonical Administrator is their congregational leader. In other cases, the Archbishop or the board of directors is the Canonical Administrator. In each case, the Canonical Administrator, in cooperation with the Board of Directors of each school, is responsible to the Archbishop  for the Catholicity of schools and the good governance of the school as a Christian community.

Goals of the Association 

Building expansion plans are underway at two Catholic schools in Manitoba this year and there are a number of school policies being reviewed and redrafted to meet the changes in provincial education requirements. 

For the past two years, the Province of Manitoba has been developing a new provincial education funding formula for public schools and it should be in place for the 2025/26 school year. The Superintendent of Manitoba Catholic Schools currently sits on the funding review team.

The finishing touches are being put on the Manitoba Catholic Schools Leadership training course that will be offered this year for vice principals and teachers interested in administration. 

A critical goal of this leadership program is to have highly qualified individuals as administration positions become available. Led by retired Catholic school principals, the program will be offered over 6 days throughout the year and based on the Principal Formation Program developed by the National Catholic Education Association.

Challenges faced by Catholic schools in Manitoba

The main struggle faced by Manitoba Catholic schools is the lack of funding.

Though Catholic schools have historically benefitted from shared service agreements with the fully-funded public schools, there are now many challenges for clinicians as not all public divisions are willing to enter the agreements.

Catholic Education Week

The 2025 Catholic Education Week will be celebrated from February 10 to 14th.  Annually, the Catholic Education Week is hosted in the second week in February.

Learn more about Manitoba Catholic Schools here:

Thank you to Manitoba Catholic Schools for partnering with us by providing information for this article!