I’m excited to share an update on our APEX Level Up Fundraiser! Thanks to the incredible generosity and support of our school community, we have raised just over $60,000 of which approximately $34,000 will go to the school and it's not over yet. On average, this is about $9,000 more than our traditional Walkathon brings in. While last year’s fundraiser brought in over $40,000, it also required a tremendous amount of time, effort, and coordination from our dedicated PTCO volunteers. As many of you know, balancing volunteer commitments with family and work responsibilities can be challenging. After hearing about the success other schools in our Diocese experienced using APEX, we decided to give it a try this year.

Currently, 16 schools across the Diocese use APEX many of them for several years now and they consistently report great results. After seeing the enthusiasm and joy on our own campus these past few weeks, I can confidently say that our experience has been just as positive.  If you were to ask our students, teachers, and staff, they would tell you that this was the best fundraiser St. Stephen has ever participated in! The students were energized and engaged, and teachers appreciated that the short daily lessons focused on leadership and character development values that align beautifully with our mission. The friendly competition among classes also helped build school spirit and a true sense of community.

Of course, partnering with a fundraising company comes with a cost, but I can assure you that APEX earned their fee. Their team was on campus every day for two weeks, leading activities, keeping students motivated, and handling every detail from marketing and communication to prizes, lanyards, t-shirts, and treats. Their presence and professionalism made the entire experience fun and stress-free for our families and volunteers alike.

I also want to share how your generosity is already making a visible impact on our campus. Funds from this year’s APEX Level Up Fundraiser will help support the cost of several important projects that we have already completed, most of which were not anticipated, including:

In addition, remaining funds from APEX, as well as funds from our Gala and Spring fundraiser, will go toward future improvements, including additional shade on the PK playground, two more security cameras, soundproofing for the music room, and further security enhancements throughout the campus. The exact costs for these projects are still being determined, but we are grateful to already have the means to begin planning and prioritizing these needs.

On behalf of our faculty, staff, and PTCO, thank you for your generosity and support. Together, we are reaching our fundraising goals so we can make meaningful investments that directly benefit our students.

Think of me tomorrow as I get Super Soaked and have a wonderful weekend! 

The FACTS Grant and Aid application setup for the 2026-2027 school year is complete. Applications and documents received after May 1, 2026 are considered late for initial consideration. 

All Diocesan High Schools utilize the FACTS Grant & Aid Application in the determination of in-house tuition assistance and the Catholic School Tuition Aid Grant (CSTAG). Additionally, all elementary/middle school families are required to submit their financial documents via the FACTS Grant & Aid Application, unless your school is a "community eligible" school.

Note: Pricing for the 2026-2027 FACTS Grant & Aid Application Fee will remain the same at $38.00.

Click the link HERE to see the video.