During January and February 2020 the Morning Star Initiative team worked with the DRVC Department of Education to conduct school site visits. Fortunately, the team was able to execute two thirds of planned visits prior to COVID-19. In order to uncover opportunities for improvement and better understand the specific challenges and needs that existed throughout the halls of each school, the MSI team met with principals, sat in on classroom instruction, evaluated facilities and space, assessed academic rigor, and worked towards gaining cognizance of staff culture and the Catholic community.

Following each half-day site visit, the team consolidated and analyzed observations along with additional data and got to work thinking through innovative improvements. With the help of both financial and education experts, the MSI team continues to work diligently on improving schools today by implementing the innovative Curriculum Leads Program, new standards for assessment, fiscally sustainable models, and a reinforced Catholic identity and community in schools.