The Catholic School Leaders Podcast

The Keys to a Successful Catholic SchoolHost: John MihalyoYou can walk into a Catholic school and know within thirty seconds whether it's thriving or just getting by, before you've seen a test score, an enrollment sheet, or the trophy case.In this episode, John breaks down the six keys he's identified after twenty years in Catholic school leadership and years of working with schools across the country: Catholic Culture and Identity, Community Engagement, Faculty and Workforce, Individual Student Growth, Operational Vitality, and Leadership. Each one is drawn from his free resource, The Keys to a Successful Catholic School, and John walks through what each key actually looks like in a thriving school and the question every leader should be asking about it.This isn't a fix-it-in-fifteen-minutes guide, and John says so directly. It's a framework built around the right questions, the kind meant to be brought to your teachers' meetings, your advisory committee, and conversations with your pastor and leadership team, so your school can figure out where its focus needs to be right now, not where anyone else's does. John leaves you with one challenge: pick the key that made you a little uncomfortable, and bring it to your next leadership meeting.LINKS AND RESOURCESConnect with John Mihalyo! Grab the free resource, The Keys to a Successful Catholic School, at elementaryadvancement.comIf this episode was helpful, share it with another Catholic school leader who could use it. Learn more about today's sponsor, Renaissance: As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

Six Brands Every Catholic School Leader Should StudyHost: John Mihalyo Every day, families walk through your doors already trained by six companies to expect something incredible, and they don't even realize it.In this episode, John looks at Apple, Amazon, Nike, Southwest, Disney, and Chick-fil-A, six brands that have earned a level of trust and loyalty most organizations only dream of, and asks the question every Catholic school leader should be asking: what would it look like if we did the same thing our way, rooted in our mission and our faith?From Apple's gift for building anticipation to Amazon's obsession with removing friction, from Nike's unmistakable identity to Southwest's 47 years of profitability built on culture, from Disney's intentional design of every single detail to Chick-fil-A's hospitality that never apologizes for what it stands for, each company has something to teach us. John breaks down what each one does well and what the Catholic school version of that could actually look like in your building this year.The bigger point, though, is that recruitment and culture were never just one person's job. Your front desk, your cleaning team, your teachers at pickup, all of them are shaping the experience a family remembers. John leaves you with one challenge: pick the thing from this episode that made you a little uncomfortable, and change it this month.LINKS AND RESOURCESConnect with John Mihalyo!If you want help turning any of these ideas into something real for your school, reach out at elementaryadvancement.comIf this episode got you thinking, send it to another Catholic school leader who could use a fresh way of looking at their building this week. Learn more about today's sponsor, Renaissance: As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

Title: New Workshop Coming December 11th!Host: John MihalyoEpisode OverviewIn this short episode, John introduces an upcoming free workshop for Catholic school leaders: “The Five Reasons Your School Is Consistently Missing Its Enrollment Goal.” The workshop will be held Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 12 PM EST and will break down the often-overlooked factors behind enrollment shortfalls—and how to correct them before they impact your budget and school stability.What You’ll Hear AboutWhy enrollment growth is the number one driver of school sustainabilityCommon mistakes that keep schools from hitting enrollment goalsThe stress schools face when they enter a new year under-enrolledHow strengthening your enrollment systems can turn stress into stabilityDetails on how to register for this free workshop and what you’ll gain from attendingWorkshop RegistrationRegister for the free December 11th workshop at www.elementaryadvancement.com — and explore additional resources while you're there.Want Personalized Support?Want to reach out directly to talk more about their enrollment challenges and how coaching can help? Click here to set up a time! Learn more about today's sponsor, Renaissance: As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

Catholic School Leaders PodcastHost: John MihalyoIn this episode, John talks about an often–overlooked part of fundraising events: what happens after the gala, dinner, or major celebration ends. He walks advancement directors and school leaders through the importance of gathering your team soon after the event to reflect, celebrate, and identify opportunities for improvement.In This EpisodeWhy every major event needs a post-event auditThe key questions to guide your reflection:What worked—and why?What didn’t work—and why not?What should we keep, stop, or change for next year?How honest feedback builds stronger events and stronger cultureWhy involving event chairs, committee members, and parent volunteers leads to better insightsHow reflection helps refresh stale traditions and spark new energyConnect With JohnWant help reviewing your recent event or planning for the next one?Visit www.elementaryadvancement.comClick here to set up a time to meet with John Mihalyo! Learn more about today's sponsor, Renaissance: As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

Episode Title: Building A.I. Literacy in Our Catholic SchoolsHost: John Mihalyo • Guest: Chelsea Lopez (The Social Institute)Overview:AI is here to stay—and your school can use it without losing the human touch. John and Chelsea unpack what AI really is, where it already shows up, and practical ways leaders can use it to save time, personalize learning, and strengthen culture.Key Takeaways:Simple definition of AI and why it matters nowTeacher time-savers (ideas, differentiation, drafts) without outsourcing judgmentStudent ownership: how to disclose AI use on assignmentsTiered, ongoing PD beats one-and-done workshopsBuild living policies: involve students/families, pilot first, revise oftenClear parent communication prevents confusion and builds trustResources:The Social InstituteConnect & Next Steps:Want help crafting AI PD, communication, or policy for your school? Book a 30-min call with John. Learn more about today's sponsor, Renaissance: As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

Episode Title: Creating Memories Through Catholic School TraditionsShow Notes:Welcome back to another short but impactful episode of the Catholic School Leaders Podcast. In this episode, John Mihalyo reflects on the power of school traditions and how they shape culture, community, and memories that last a lifetime.Drawing on his own story of working at an amphitheater—where fans always expected to hear the most beloved songs—John compares those expectations to the cherished traditions within Catholic schools. Just like a concert wouldn’t feel the same without the classics, our schools wouldn’t feel complete without those meaningful traditions that students, parents, and alumni look forward to year after year.From senior sunrise and sunset ceremonies to long-standing celebrations unique to each community, traditions build excitement, strengthen culture, and give families something to anticipate and remember. John also reminds leaders to distinguish between traditions worth celebrating and practices that exist only because “that’s the way we’ve always done it.”Key Takeaways:Traditions create lasting memories and foster a strong, positive school culture.Students, parents, and alumni look forward to these moments and often measure their school experience by them.Not all traditions are equal—leaders must protect those that truly build community while letting go of outdated practices without purpose.Sharing traditions through storytelling and communication strengthens school pride and alumni connection.Call to Action:If you’d like to talk about how to strengthen culture, enrollment, and advancement at your Catholic school, schedule a time with John here. Learn more about today's sponsor, Renaissance: As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.