Posted April 12, 2016

The creative arts are flowering this April as more than 40 Catholic grade schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia participate in “Showcases of Excellence” events to be held at four archdiocesan high schools.

Highlighting the strong academic and fine arts programs in the parochial and regional elementary schools, the events will display students’ artwork, theatrical and musical performances including instrumental and choral music.

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Of special note is the “Odyssey of the Mind” component, an international educational program. It provides problem-solving opportunities through creative performances in which teams of students apply what they have learned to solve problems that range from the building of mechanical devices to unique interpretations of literary classics.

This year’s “Showcase of Excellence” sites are:

Archbishop Ryan High School, 11201 Academy Road, Philadelphia, on Tuesday, April 12 from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Participating schools include: Blessed Trinity; Christ the King; Maternity B.V.M.; Nazareth Academy Grade School; Resurrection Regional; St. Anselm; St. Dominic; St. Martha; St. Christopher and St. Matthew, all in Philadelphia; and St. Charles Borromeo, Bensalem.

Archbishop John Carroll High School, 211 Matson Ford Road, Radnor, on Monday, April 18 from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Participating schools include: Assumption B.V.M., West Grove; Cardinal John Foley Regional, Havertown; Drexel Neumann Academy, Chester; Holy Rosary Regional,  Plymouth Meeting; Our Lady of Hope Regional, Philadelphia; St. Anastasia, Newtown Square; St. Andrew, Drexel Hill; St. Bernadette of Lourdes, Darby; St. Dorothy, Drexel Hill; St. Francis de Sales, Aston; St. Genevieve, Flourtown; St. Joseph the Protector, Glenside and St. Mary Magdalen, Media.

Pope John Paul II High School, 181 Rittenhouse Road, Royersford, on Thursday, April 21 from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Participating schools include: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Schwenksville; St. Aloysius, Pottstown; St. Isidore, Quakertown and St. Mary, Schwenksville.

Archbishop Wood High School, 655 York Road, Warminster, on Friday, April 22 from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Participating schools include: Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, North Wales; Nativity of Our Lord, Warminster; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Doylestown; Queen of Angels Regional, Willow Grove; St. Agnes-Sacred Heart, Hilltown; St. Ignatius of Antioch, Yardley and St. Joseph-St. Robert School, Warrington.