At Eastside Catholic, we recognize that each student has limitless potential to succeed. Our mission as a Catholic school guides us to make the EC experience accessible to students with diverse learning needs. We know that academic challenges can be overcome with personalized assistance and dedicated resources. All funds raised through the 2017 Making a Difference effort will exponentially grow the Pope Francis Endowment providing ongoing financial support for Eastside Catholic School's Learning Support Services and the Options Program. The endowment is named in recognition of Pope Francis who is a champion of Catholic inclusive education.

All Eastside Catholic students have the opportunity to be enriched directly or indirectly by Learning Support Services and the Options Program. This includes students with diagnosed learning disabilities, undiagnosed learning disabilities, health impairments or intellectual disabilities whether temporary or ongoing. Many families know these services as English/Math Class (EMC), the testing center, Academic Resources (AR), Academic Mentoring, the Options Program and the new Academic Center of Excellence (ACE). Assistance can take many forms depending on a student's individual needs and can include mentoring, tutoring, and study skills classes focused on organization and time management. A percentage of the Pope Francis Endowment's income will be available annually starting in 2018, leaving the principle grow in perpetuity.

With pride and passion for the mission of Eastside Catholic we seek to fund to the greatest extent possible, each student's capacity to reach their academic potential.