McMahon Parater Scholarship Foundation

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout, is welcomed by children at Saint Mary Star of the Sea School in October, 2019

In the Diocese of Richmond,  over 10 years into Virginia’s historic Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits program (EISTC), donors provided nearly $9,385,000 this year in new scholarships for qualified students to attend Catholic JK-12 schools, and received most of their money back in federal and Virginia tax savings. 1,470 students received EISTC scholarships to attend one of the 30 accredited Catholic schools in the Diocese of Richmond, which extends from Bristol to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, for the 2022-23 school year.

GIVE a Student the Gift of Catholic Education and GAIN a tax credit!

To qualify, families of eligible students need to meet the income requirements below:

School Year 2024-25 EISTC Household Income Limits

Virginia budgets $25 million each year for this program, which continues until 2028.

This program has helped many needy families realize the dream of having their children attend Catholic school in our diocese.  May the seeds planted today in their hearts and minds help to bring faith, hope and wisdom to our future world.

EISTC Scholarships of up to $9,078 per year to attend Catholic schools can often help change the trajectory of the lives of young people. To date, more than 3,200 students in Virginia now have access to an educational environment at a Catholic school better suited to their needs through the support of EISTC

The McMahon Parater Scholarship Foundation was established in 2008 to support and enhance the future of Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Richmond primarily by providing tuition assistance, enhancing academic programs and resources, and increasing professional development opportunities for teachers.

The Foundation is an IRS-designated 501(c)3 organization that has a professional staff and is governed by a Board of Directors. It actively promotes Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Richmond,  seeks ongoing philanthropic support; manages gifts, grants, endowments and donations; and distributes funds with the approval of the Bishop of Richmond.

Throughout the Diocese of Richmond there are 30 Catholic schools with almost 8,500 students. Of the 30 schools, 24 offer elementary/middle school grades, 8 have secondary programs and 7 are independent schools, all within the Richmond, Tidewater and Southwest regions of Virginia. 14 of our schools have been awarded the coveted distinction of being named a “National Blue Ribbon School” by the U.S. Department of Education.  

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.

Charlottesville Catholic School Christ the King Catholic School Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Our Lady of Mount Carmel School Sacred Heart Catholic School St. Bridget Catholic School St. Edward-Epiphany Catholic School Saint Gertrude High School Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School Saint Mary’s Catholic School St. Matthew’s Catholic School Saint Patrick Catholic School Star of the Sea Catholic School Walsingham Academy

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