NCCS campaign surpasses $100,000 milestone
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After just six months of launching its Adopt-A-Student Campaign Northern Chautauqua Catholic School has surpassed $100,000 in donations and pledges, marking a significant milestone in its mission to make a quality Catholic education more affordable for families throughout Chautauqua County.
Launched by alumni of Cardinal Mindszenty High School and Northern Chautauqua Catholic School, together with friends and supporters of Catholic education, the campaign was created to offset the loss of approximately $1,800 per student in diocesan tuition assistance following the Diocese of Buffalo's bankruptcy proceedings.
The three-year initiative seeks to raise approximately $225,000 annually to help new families enroll at NCCS while restoring enrollment and strengthening the school's long-term future.
"The overwhelming generosity of our alumni, families, and community has been truly inspiring," said Mark Dulak, President of the NCCS Board of Trustees. "Reaching this milestone demonstrates that people believe in the mission of Northern Chautauqua Catholic School and want to ensure that future generations have access to an outstanding faith-based education."
The campaign is already helping make enrollment possible for new students entering the
2026-27 school year.
"Because of our donors' generosity, we are now able to provide additional financial assistance to qualifying families," Dulak said. "We want every family to know that if they believe NCCS is the right educational choice for their child, we are committed to working with them to make it affordable."
Today, nearly half of NCCS students come from non-Catholic families, reflecting the school's reputation for academic excellence, individualized instruction, and a welcoming environment rooted in faith, respect, and service.
"Families choose NCCS because of our strong academic programs, caring teachers, and values-centered education," Dulak added. "With a student-to-teacher ratio capped at less than 10-to-1, every child receives the personal attention needed to succeed academically, socially, and spiritually while building a strong foundation for high school and beyond."
To expand the campaign's reach, volunteer Class Champions representing graduating classes from Cardinal Mindszenty High School (1966-1979) and Northern Chautauqua Catholic School (1989-2005) are leading outreach efforts among classmates. Additional volunteer groups include pre-1966 CMHS alumni and Friends of NCCS. Organizers continue to recruit additional Class Champions to help engage alumni and supporters.
Northern Chautauqua Catholic School remains the only Catholic elementary school serving students in Pre-K through Grade 8 in Chautauqua County, providing families with an educational option distinguished by academic excellence, character development, leadership, and service.
In addition to supporting new student enrollment, the Adopt-A-Student Campaign offers two opportunities for current families to earn additional tuition assistance; a $500 tuition credit to any current NCCS family that refers a new student who enrolls, or credit can be earned by parents working on the recruitment team. Parents wishing to join the recruitment team can contact the school office for more information.
As enrollment continues for the 2026-27 school year, school leaders encourage interested families to apply early and explore available financial assistance opportunities.
Families interested in learning more about enrollment and tuition assistance are encouraged to contact the school office.
Supporters can learn more about the Adopt-A-Student Campaign, make a donation, pledge their support, and follow their graduating class's participation by visiting www.nccsadoptastudent.com.
Northern Chautauqua Catholic School serves students in Pre-K through Grade 8, providing a rigorous academic program within a nurturing, faith-filled environment that develops the whole child -- academically, spiritually, and socially. For generations, NCCS has prepared students to become compassionate leaders committed to service, excellence, and lifelong learning.