Meet Jason Hartling, New Principal at East Catholic High School

and Chief Administrator this August, at a time when the school has reached it's 50th year. While many Catholic schools around the nation are having difficulties in achieving enrollment, or closing, East Catholic has stood the test of time. East Catholic graduates are now sending their own children to the school. With experience in the private sector, as a public and Catholic school teacher, and as a principal of a large urban high school, Hartling has found a school whose mission about education mirrors his own.

Timothy Becker: Jason, where are you from originally, and what positions have you held prior to coming to East Catholic High School?

Jason Hartling: I was born in Holyoke, Mass. I now reside in Vernon. I have worked in the private sector, as a public and Catholic school teacher, and as a principal of a large urban high school before coming to East.

Timothy Becker: What attracted you to the school?

Jason Hartling: East is a strong community, it is very much like a family. We are seeing multiple generations coming to east. There is a strong Catholic identity. The mission of the school is what I believe about education.

Timothy Becker: Many catholic Schools in Connecticut and the nation have been closed over the years due a lack of enrollment. How has East stood the test of time for 50 years?

Jason Hartling: We have been very fortunate to have a very strong faculty. The Sisters of Notre Dame have kept a strong presence here for the past 50 years. We have delivered results. Families have made sacrifices to send their children here. The alumni have supported the school be sending their children to East. We have stayed true to our Catholic identity.

Timothy Becker: There has been in front of the school for several years now. Is there an end in sight, and will there be any benefit to East Catholic?

Jason Hartling: The final top coat is to be applied in October. It has been frustrating. We contributed a portion of our frontage to the project. The traffic flow will be much improved.

Timothy Becker: East Catholic High School is known to have a steep tuition. What does it cost a parent for their child to attend East, and what scholarships and financial aid packages are available?

Jason Hartling: Our goal is to keep tuition as low as possible. It is now about $11,000 per year. We give $1.3 million in tuition assistance each year. We understand that it is a huge sacrifice for families to send their children to East. We make sure that every family that is willing to make the sacrifice will be part of East. We devote 20 percent of our revenues to supporting families.

Timothy Becker: East has an entrance exam for incoming freshman. Are students offered admission based of the results of those tests?

Jason Hartling: The placement test results are just one of many factors for admission. We also consider teacher recommendations and the student's writing sample. We want students to be sucessful and happy at East. We use the test results to customize the student's academic program.

Timothy Becker: East is also known for its strong sports programs. What sports are now offered and what is the outlook for the basketball and football season?

Jason Hartling: We have 45 sports teams and we have had 49 state championships in 50 years. We have a very stable coaching staff. We have successful sports teams because we focus on character, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The most important thing is the character they are building on the field. About 85 percent of our students participate in sports. We also have a 50 percent participation in our music programs.

Timothy Becker: East is also known for strong academics. What percentage of students go on to college after graduation?

Jason Hartling: Ninety-nine percent of the Class of 2011 went on to college. The other one percent went into military service. Our class of 176 students was offered $10.4 million in scholarships and financial aid.

Timothy Becker: What are your short term and long term goals as Chief Administrator at East?

Jason Hartling: In the short term, I want to understand the community and build relationships. In the long term there are campus improvements that are needed including another academic wing. It takes more square footage to educate students today. We would also like to build an athletic stadium and an East Catholic memorial.

Timothy Becker: What is planned for celebrating East's 50th anniversary?

Jason Hartling: We are celebrating our for four years. We are going to celebrate a 50th anniversary mass and we will be launching a 50th anniversary capital campaign. We are awarding our class of 1965 with their golden diplomas.