Ascension School
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Brent Devitt
Ascension School is a leader in the Response to Intervention movement to adress the needs of individual students through a comprehsive universal assessment system and an enthusiastic team of qualified volunteer academic tutors. Ascension parents and students are active in supporting the school with our annual Walk-athon (one single major fundraiser) and many other support activities. The school was recently renovated and serves students from Kettering, Beavercreek, Dayton, Sugarcreek and a number of other districts of residence.
As the parent of three graduates of Ascension school, I would like to share the reasons why I believe that a Catholic education from Ascension was instrumental in allowing my children to succeed in their educational goals. Each of my three daughters started first grade at Ascension -- graduating in 1996, 1999, and 2001. Ascension provided each of them with an excellent foundation in all of the core curriculum courses – math, science, history, English and religion. The education provided by Ascension allowed them to attend Carroll High School with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in honors and advanced placement courses. Building upon the wonderful education they received at Ascension, all three of my daughters were able to graduate in the top 5% of their class at Carroll. In addition, one was selected to be the valedictorian and another to be the salutatorian in their respective graduation classes. The science, math, and writing opportunities provided at Ascension also allowed my daughters to explore different areas of math, science and literature. This experience helped and encouraged them in selecting a career path. One daughter is now a lawyer; another is a speech pathologist; and my youngest will soon graduate in electrical engineering. Each graduated or will graduate shortly with high honors in their chosen field. Much of the credit for their academic success can be traced back to the outstanding educational foundation provided by Ascension school. However, more important than the educational opportunities provided by Ascension, was the positive religious influence that the school exerted on my children. It strengthened my children’s faith by providing them with spiritual and community service experiences that encouraged my children to continue to seek opportunities to give to others. All three have and continue to volunteer in areas designed to serve the community. Ascension also left my children with many wonderful memories. My children still enjoy reminiscing with their friends about the wonderful times they had at Ascension. They constantly refer to the caring Ascension teachers, who invested their time in seeing that every child had the opportunity to succeed. As a result, I feel that the tuition for their education at Ascension was an excellent investment in my children’s future. My investment has paid off by helping my daughters become caring, well-educated Christian women. I would encourage everyone to consider a Catholic education for his or her child, and I believe that Ascension provides one of the best grammar school educations in the Dayton area.
Brogan Berry, a sophomore at Harvard University, is a recent 2004 graduate of Ascension School. In 2009 she was Named Ivy League Basketball Rookie of the Year and Earned honorable mention All-Ivy League honors. While at nearby Carroll High School she was a Two-time Girls Greater Cincinnati League Player of the Year and first team selection, Member of the National Honor Society and French National Honor Society, made honor roll in eight different semesters, recipient of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Scholarship Society silver certificate and gold certificate and a Retreat Leader. Brogan shares her story that prior to arriving at Ascension School in the 4th grade she had previously struggled with English. Ascension school teachers offered additional focused instruction that was a blessing in her life. “I cannot say enough about the efforts and devotion to my educational process, but without it, I would not be where I am today. The combined efforts of the Ascension staff and Mrs. Donauer, resulted in my not only keeping up with the other students, but surpassing many when I was able to take Advanced Placement English classes and many Honors classes at Carroll High School.” “Many schools offer great education, but another aspect that makes Ascension better than other institutions is its religious community. The religion teachers provided me with all the knowledge of my faith, but the whole Ascension staff were walking examples of spirituality. Being surrounded by such a strong united faith helped me to continue my religious journey into high school were I led peer retreats at both Carroll and Bergamo, and today continues to influence my beliefs even though I am far from home. Ascension laid a strong foundation of education and faith that has brought me to one of the greatest colleges in the world – Harvard University!
Ascension Catholic School provides a welcoming atmosphere in which spiritual, emotional and educational formation is centered on Christ, our Catholic faith and our Baptismal promises; where all are called to greater reverence, respect and responsibility; and the good that is learned here is to be shared with all of God’s creation.
We Believe that…
All students are children of God, gifted with the ability to learn. Students, teachers, staff, and parents share the responsibility to be actively engaged as lifelong learners.
By virtue of our Baptism we are to treat everyone with respect, responsibility and reverence, creating a safe learning environment.
Committed to continuous improvement, we will better impart and model the traditions and Gospel values of our Roman Catholic faith.
In June of 1955, Father Arnold F. Witzman received a call from Archbishop Karl J. Alter to move from Cincinnati to Dayton to organize a new parish which came to be known as The Church of the Ascension. Fr. Witzman’s mission was to establish a school, so in 1956 a school building was dedicated and for the first six years served as a church also.
In 1960 an addition of 6 classrooms was made to the north end of the school building. Notre Dame sisters served as the first teachers in the school. School Enrollment reached as many as 1000 students, with over 50 students in each classroom through the 60’s and 70’s. Mr. Walter R. Miller served as principal from 1970-1982 during the transition from a largely religious staff to a lay staff. Father Witzman retired in 1980 to become Pastor Emeritus and was joined by Father Edward Rudemiller (Father Rudy), who began a 12 year tenure as pastor.
In 1982 Sister Maureen Heavey, R.S.M., was assigned school principal. The Parish Activity Center (the PAC) was completed in 1988. Father Rudy made his farewell in 1992, and was succeeded by Fr. David Brinkmoeller. After 18 years of faithful service to the Ascension School, Sr. Maureen retired in the summer of 2000.
Mr. Brent Devitt followed Sr. Maureen as principal in 2000 and Fr. Chris Worland became Pastor in 2004. The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006 and currently serves approximately 375 students, from nearly 250 families, in kindergarten through grade 8. The school was re-accredited by the Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association in 2007.
Educating students to be praying, teaching, caring, serving signs of God's presence to each other and to the world around us.
Mr. Bower is in his second year of teaching at Ascension School. He is noted for using innovative and captivating lessons with the students that inspire them to learn more about history, geography, and current events. A letter from one of our Ascension parents said:
Mr Bower,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have lit a fire under our daughter and she is working hard and growing in positive self-esteem and confidence. This is new for her. In my opinion she has sat in idle mode academically, and in self-appreciation. You are a huge factor in this turn for her. As her parents, Doug and I believe your positive influence on her is invaluable. You have done for her, what a parent can’t do; but rather we only hope for. Thanks so much, for caring about her. Thanks so much for going above and beyond. Our daughter speaks of you often and loves your class. I can’t tell you how much she needed somebody to invest in her. Thanks for being that person.
Martha Carter
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Tours may be arranged at any time. Please join us for our Learning Fair and Open House - February 23, 2010 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Sacramental programs & weekly liturgies; OCSAA Accredited in 2007; Active PTO & Education Commission; Technology access throughout school, including home access; Accelerated Reader; Well Managed Classroom & Common Sense Parenting Programs; Accommodations for special needs students; Auxiliary Staff: Counselor, Speech Pathologist, Intervention Specialist, Tutor, Nurse. Title 1 Reading Program. Extracurricular activities: Instrumental Band Gr. 4-8, Choir Gr. 4-8, CYO Sports (soccer, basketball, golf, volleyball, baseball, softball, track & field, wrestling, football), Scouts, Junior Optimists, LEGO League, MathCounts, Power of the Pen, and Spanish Club.