News & Events

Join us at Woodburn Brewing in East Walnut Hills on Tuesday, November 19th for a beverage, socializing and a fun way to support CISE.

CISE’s primary focus over its 40-year history has been on sustaining Catholic grade schools in their neighborhoods. Vision 2021 & Beyond called on CISE to further expand the vital “bookends” to grade school: preschool and high school.

Brooke Rouse's greatest achievement, the one she is most proud of so far in her life, is her graduation from Mt. St. Joseph University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies. 

On September 25th, DePaul Cristo Rey high school recently welcomed forty guests to the quarterly Catholic Business Advisory Council (BAC). Dr. Mari K. Thomas gathered educational and community leaders for the first session of the Catholic BAC for the 2024-2025 school year.

I am honored to serve as co-chair of the CISE 2024 Annual Campaign alongside CISE Board Chair David Williams. The mission of CISE to provide high-quality Catholic education to students in Cincinnati’s inner-city communities is something I am deeply passionate about. I am grateful for the opportunity to support this vital cause.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Sip & Shop fundraiser at J.McLaughlin last week! It was a fantastic evening, and we’re thrilled

On August 21st, Hyde Park Country Club hosted the kick-off party for the CISE 2024 Annual Campaign, themed “Innovation & Impact.” The event brought together board members, staff, supporters, school principals, advocates, and the newly appointed Archdiocese of Cincinnati Superintendent of Catholic School, Matthew Daniels.

The 2nd annual J.McLaughlin Sip & Shop fundraiser will be held on Thursday, September 12th from 4pm-7pm.

On July 30th, Dr. Mari Thomas, CISE CTE Consultant, gathered thirty educational and community leaders at Mercy McAuley High School for the third Catholic Business Advisory Council (BAC) session.

We are please to welcome Jessie Back as Principal at Corryville Catholic. With a wealth of experience and dedication to education, Mr. Back will provide strong leadership and foster a culture of academic excellence. We extend our warmest congratulations to Mr. Back on his new role and look forward to the positive impact he will undoubtedly make at Corryville Catholic.

Watch a fun thank you video from a few of our high school scholarship recipients.

This year, CISE was honored to receive a donation of $15,900 from Cincinnati International Wine Festival!

CISE is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a generous grant of $30,700 from the Arby's Foundation!

Yesterday, the CISE Rosary Project visited 44 students in the two 2nd grade classes at St. Lawrence School. What a memorable morning they had teaching about the Rosary

CISE provides funding for a comprehensive educational pipeline from preschool through high school to help students achieve better outcomes in life. Currently, 70% of our 8th graders get accepted to local Catholic high schools. However, since more than 90% are living in poverty...

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the 14th Annual CISE Party. It was a big success with 243 guests joining us at the The Pitch View Club at TQL Stadium. Party guests were treated to an unforgettable evening, mingling, dancing, and...

In the last newsletter, we announced the Brenda Hoskins Scholarship matching gift challenge in honor of her dear friend, Pete Bushelman. We are thrilled to report that 11 new high school scholarships have been added...

This is my 13th year at St. Cecilia. I have enjoyed my 31 years in education both at the administrative and teaching level. I received my bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University...

Listen to Mari Thomas's radio interview on Sacred Heart Radio. The topic was Career and Technical Education.

Last week, Mari Thomas, CISE CTE Consultant, gathered 26 educational and community leaders for the inaugural Catholic Business Advisory Council (BAC). The purpose of the newly formed Catholic BAC is threefold: engage...

The Brenda Hoskins and Pete Bushelman High School Scholarship was recently established to support a student throughout their four years of high school.

Meet former Cincinnatians Julie and Steve Hellebusch. Julie and Steve have been faithful CISE donors since 2009. For many years, they were monthly donors, and despite moving to Texas for work in 2013, they have continued to donate to CISE regularly.

Meet Bitanya Derese, a CISE alumna with a remarkable story of resilience and determination. Born in Ethiopia, the Derese family immigrated to the United States in 2007 with dreams of a better life. America was not just a new home, it was a land of opportunities.

Today We Celebrate Mrs. Jen Long, principal of St. Lawrence in Price Hill. Mrs. Long believes that the greatest responsibility we have to the children who are entrusted to our care […]

CISE is six months into the one-year feasibility study, led by Dr. Mari Thomas, to explore and identify alternative pathways for our graduates. One critical development in this work is the launch of a Business Advisory Council, BAC.

The Hyde Park Country Club was buzzing with excitement as campaign co-chairs, Liz Niehaus and Don Mellott, board members, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate the success of the annual campaign.

In the heart of Price Hill lies St. Lawrence Elementary School, a safe and inclusive Catholic school serving students in Cincinnati’s inner-city. It’s the kind of school every parent would like for their child to attend.

We Are Really Excited! Yes, it’s five months away, but we are so excited to announce the next CISE Party will be held at the home of FC Cincinnati, TQL […]

This past weekend was the official ribbon cutting for a brand new playground at St. Lawrence Elementary School. Thanks to the generosity of longtime CISE donor, Nick Ragland, 55 preschoolers will enjoy a new, safe playground.

CISE is taking to the airwaves with two radio interviews on “Driving Home the Faith” with Fr. Jack Rob on Sacred Heart Radio. Join us as Phil McHugh dives into […]

Allow us to introduce you to Carol and Dick Stevie, unwavering CISE supporters. Originally from East Price Hill, Carol attended St. Lawrence Elementary School (a CISE-supported school since 2012.) Dick […]

Mike Kennedy has joined CISE as Director of High School Scholarship Programs. The High School Scholarship Program has grown in numbers and complexity and Mike’s skill set is a strong […]

My name is Katie Puthoff and I am the Principal of Holy Family School in Price Hill. Catholic education has always been a huge part of my life and is something I am very passionate about. I attended grade school at St. Michael in Sharonville, went on to high school at Mount Notre Dame High School, and then continued my Catholic education at the University of Dayton for both my undergraduate and masters degrees.

CISE 2023 Annual Report Your Annual Report is here! CISE has found great success by partnering with individuals and organizations who share their expertise to benefit our scholars. These partnerships […]

CISE is saddened with the closing of St. Joseph Catholic School for the 2023-2024 school year. We respect the decision of the Archdiocese, the pastor and parish council at St. […]

Exciting News! Last evening, we officially launched our Annual Campaign at the Kenwood Country Club. This campaign is our primary fundraiser, devoted to providing vital support to CISE schools, students, […]

Combine a mother’s love, faith and commitment to her children’s future with generous donors who support the Catholic Inner-City Schools Education’s (CISE) mission, which helps rewrite urban children’s lives by providing access to a strong Catholic education. The result instilled in Ebony Webb’s five children the confidence that they can become the best they can be, academically and spiritually.

Congratulations to Tom Haber, who officially retired from CISE on June 30, 2023. With an extensive background of providing financial expertise to Catholic schools, Tom served CISE very well for the last four years. We wish Tom well in his retirement! We welcome Sean O’Brien, who joins CISE as Staff Accountant for Management of School Funds and Partnerships.

We welcome Sean O’Brien, who joins CISE as Staff Accountant for Management of School Funds and Partnerships.  “I am excited to join CISE after having served as the business manager […]

CISE welcomes Romero Academy at Annunciation School in Clifton. Annunciation will open in mid-August. The grade school will start by offering PK through 5th grade, and will grow one grade […]

Welcome to the third edition of CISE Quarterly Newsletter. As many of you are aware, St. Joseph’s school will close for the 2023-2024 school year. While we respect the decision […]

Meet Kim ChildsPrincipal of St. Boniface School I have been married to my husband since 2001, and we have four amazing children. In my hours outside of school, I love […]

Congratulations to Rhonda Morgan, who won tickets to a FC Cincinnati game in our drawing at Pint Night! Pint Night at March First Brewery was great fun & we raised […]

Chris and Mike Wirth have been consistent annual donors to CISE since 2016. This year, they were excited to become high school scholarship donors, sponsoring a high school student for […]

On July 5th, Dr. Mari Thomas was featured on Sacred Heart Radio’s program “Driving Home the Faith”. She talked with host, Fr. Rob Jack, about the new feasibility study she […]

8th Grade Graduates Say, Thank You! (view the video below) We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to the support of our donors, CISE awarded 79 high school scholarships this […]

  Each school year a group of CISE board members, known as the “Rosary Ladies”, visits our grade schools to teach children about the rosary. Louise Stakelin, Tricia Headley and […]

Thank you for all your positive comments we received about our first quarterly newsletter. We are grateful for your continued interest in CISE! Under the leadership of Mari Thomas, CISE […]