Unification FAQ

Visit the link below to read current Frequently Asked Questions regarding the unification of St. Gabriel’s Catholic School and St. Michael’s Catholic Academy.

July 13, 2023: Branding and Identity Process

What an incredible year we have just completed with our two outstanding schools having joined together as one. As we continue to embark on this journey of uniting our cultures, traditions, histories, and bright future, much important and inspiring work lies ahead; and we look forward to doing this together with YOU! 

Each of you has an integral part in this process and we wholeheartedly invite you to participate by sharing your thoughts, insights, and perspective as we co-create an extraordinary Pre-K - 12th grade Independent Catholic school and community. 

To strategically guide this extremely important work, the Board of Trustees has formalized a partnership with EdwardsCo, a nationally-recognized consulting firm that works exclusively with independent schools, to lead a unified identity and branding process. Project components will include listening sessions with community constituent groups, external market research, a competitive analysis of our niche within the education landscape, the development of a brand and message strategy, and communications rollout plans. As part of their initial discovery work, EdwardsCo will solicit feedback from all members of our community. And, YOU are vital to this process! Over the next several months you will be invited to participate in several ways.

Thank you in advance for sharing your gift of time with our beloved school as we diligently work together to steward our missions, values, histories, traditions, and immensely bright future.

Phase 1: Discovery

On July 31, anonymous and confidential feedback surveys will be emailed to you directly from EdwardsCo Vice President, Barbara Friedsam Egan: bfriedsam@edwardsco.com, and will be open through August 7. If you do not receive her email, please check your SPAM folder and if it is not there, please let us know. We strongly encourage you take this opportunity to help EdwardsCo develop a deeper understanding of your perceptions and experiences; your voice is very important to this part of the process. Thank you! 

For more information on EdwardsCo, visit www.edwardsco.com.

May 11, 2023: Exploring Creativity through Theatre & Visual Arts - Fine Arts Parts 1 & 2

St. Gabriel’s and St. Michael’s students are able to pursue their creative interests in four areas of fine arts: Visual Arts, Theatre, Music, and Film. The videos in this week’s update highlights student growth and exploration in the Visual Arts and Theatre.

Visual Arts - Students begin taking visual art classes in the Lower School. As they get to 3rd and 4th grades, they are able to choose Fine Arts electives, pursuing interests in certain areas of the arts. In Middle School and High School, they may choose to further develop in the visual arts, from painting to ceramics, to 2D and 3D arts, and more.

Theatre - Beginning in Middle School, students may engage in theatre productions, on or off stage in a variety of roles. In High School, there are 3 productions each school year that students can be a part of, including the Austin Repertory Theatre program, working directly with industry professionals.

April 20, 2023: Teamwork and Growth Through Robotics

Students interested in pursuing engineering or STEAM in general have the opportunity to join a competitive robotics team beginning in 7th grade at St. Gabriel’s Catholic School after learning fundamental coding and robotics skills starting as early as Pre-K 4. They may then continue on throughout their high school career.

“Last year was supposed to be my ‘senior year’ in robotics as my fourth year, but now I’ve got a 5th year and a 6th year, and that’s just such a large advantage to have…to really apply everything I’ve learned. I think we’ve been really successful because our whole team has had that experience going from middle school to now.” - Davin M. ‘24.

Watch the video to learn more about the St. Gabriel’s Saber Robotics team and the St. Michael’s LightSaders experience competing this spring as well as what it feels like to gain such significant experience in engineering and competitive robotics starting at an early age.

March 30, 2023: Athletic Excellence at St. Gabriel’s & St. Michael’s

At St. Gabriel’s and St. Michael’s, our athletic programs are stronger and more aligned than ever. Watch the video to hear directly from Jeff McGee, our new Director of Athletics who is working to further strengthen our teams and structures, other staff members making an impact on these  programs, as well as two 8th grade students who will be participating in sports at the high school level next year. 

A few highlights of the unification for athletics include:

• Students are even more well-prepared as they enter the high school level and can envision their own future success in their Varsity peers

• Varsity coaches are supporting Middle School coaches

• Athletic summer camps are offered for Middle and High School students 

• Students from partner schools are able to enter a thriving and ever-growing program

• Building a broad, aligned program across all sports

• Student-athletes benefit in academics through developing skills like determination and teamwork

March 9, 2023: Letter from Mrs. Lynch and Mr. Dolce

Dear St. Gabriel’s and St. Michael’s Families,

As the trees begin to sprout new growth and turn green, we are reminded daily that spring is indeed here and spring break is just around the corner. Before we jump into what we hope will be well-deserved time off, we wanted to take the time to update you on the unification progress

March 2, 2023: Why We Are Better Together As One Catholic Community

In November 2022, St. Gabriel’s Catholic School and St. Michael’s Catholic Academy unified as one school across two campuses, ultimately solidifying as one Independent Catholic community. Since that time, each school has continued operating as usual, providing an exceptional education to both Sabers and Crusaders.