First Lady Laura Bush to visit ACE school in Washington

Author: Julie Hail Flory

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In observation of national Catholic Schools Week, Mrs. Laura Bush will visit Holy Redeemer School in Washington D.C., a designated University of Notre Dame Magnificat School, on Wednesday (Jan. 30).

Through Notre Dames Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program, Holy Redeemer is one of three designated Magnificat Schools nationwide, which are paired with the University in five-year partnerships that seek to effect change in urban, at-risk Catholic schools.

Established in 2006, the Magnificat School Partnership Program provides designated schools with funding, leadership and expertise – via Notre Dames extensive alumni network – and makes ACE teachers and principals available to meet staffing needs. In addition to Holy Redeemer, the other Magnificat Schools are St. Adalbert in South Bend and St. Ann in Chicago.

Founded in 1994 by Rev. Timothy R. Scully, C.S.C., and Rev. Sean McGraw, C.S.C., the ACE program provides college graduates an opportunity to earn master of education degrees while serving as teachers in understaffed Catholic schools nationwide. In exchange for a modest stipend and a tuition-free graduate program, the ACE participants make a two-year commitment to teach in these schools.

More than 85 recent college graduates from a wide variety of educational disciplines enter ACE each year. They take courses and participate in teacher training projects at Notre Dame during their two summers in the program and are assigned to full-time teaching positions at schools in more than 30 cities and 14 states during the academic year. After two years, the students graduate with a masters degree, and about 75 percent elect to remain in education.

Members of the media interested in attending the event who do not have a White House Press Credential should contact Brandon Hueber at 703-901-7475.For all other questions, please contact Mrs. Bushs Press Office at 202-456-6313.

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