Dream Bigger: How One Small Catholic School Turned Everything Around
Host: John Mihalyo
Guest: Tara Nelson, Advancement & Enrollment Director, Parkersburg Catholic Schools
The Catholic School Leaders Podcast Episode Overview
Three years ago, Parkersburg Catholic Schools was facing declining enrollment, financial uncertainty, and rumors in the community that the school might not survive. Today, they are raising $500,000 for a campus consolidation project backed by a 3-to-1 diocesan match of $1.5 million and they are ahead of schedule.
In this episode, John sits down with Tara Nelson, the advancement and enrollment director who has been at the center of this transformation, to talk about how they rebuilt trust, grew their community, and created a culture where dreaming bigger became the expectation not the exception.
Key Takeaways
1. Trust has to be rebuilt before dollars will follow. Families and donors won't invest in a school they aren't sure will still be open. Parkersburg Catholic started small — fixing the ice machine, securing new front doors and showed their community that when they said something would happen, it happened.
2. Parish partnerships have to be a two-way street. The school shows up at all five of their parishes every single month. Not just to ask for support but to give it. That intentional relationship is a big reason their community showed up when it mattered most.
3. Word of mouth marketing is free and it is powerful. A simple end-of-year video from their elementary principal went into the tens of thousands of views and helped grow their Facebook following from 1,200 to nearly 3,500. You don't need a big budget. You need an authentic story worth telling.
4. Intentionality is everything. Nothing happening at Parkersburg Catholic is accidental. From who speaks at Sunday Mass to when posts go out on social media to how faculty are appreciated, there is a system and a purpose behind all of it.
5. When you dream bigger, your community shows up bigger. Nobody blinked when the $500,000 goal was announced. That confidence didn't come from nowhere — it came from two years of doing exactly what they said they would do.
Challenge for This Week
Think about one promise your school has made to your community, big or small, that hasn't been followed through on yet. What would it take to close that loop this week and start rebuilding that trust?
Connect with Parkersburg Catholic Schools
Follow their campaign and campus project updates: 🌐 parkersburgcatholic.com [https://parkersburgcatholic.com] 📘 Facebook: Parkersburg Catholic Schools [https://www.facebook.com/parkersburgcatholic]
Learn More
John Mihalyo works with Catholic schools across the country through Elementary Advancement Solutions, helping leaders strengthen enrollment, advancement, and long-term sustainability.
Learn more at www.elementaryadvancement.com [http://www.elementaryadvancement.com/]
Schedule a time to meet with John here! [https://cal.com/elementaryadvancement/virtual-cup-of-coffee]
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 [https://www.renaissance.com/].
