In this episode of "In Search of Catholic School Excellence," Thomas Boles interviews Gustavo Torres, principal of Good Shepherd School in Pacifica, California. Gustavo shares the story of the school’s remarkable turnaround, highlighting strategies for enrollment growth, community engagement, and the restoration of enrichment programs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of joy, wonder, and curiosity in school culture, strong partnerships with faculty and parish, and creative approaches to funding and experiential learning that have revitalized the school and fostered a thriving, connected community.

Gustavo encourages us to sit down with each of the invested groups; pastor, faculty, parents, and key community organizations to share the priorities of the school and what you need. Then we can see what their priorities are, what they want to do and we can then plan how to move forward, together. Take care of the low hanging fruit to build momentum and then see what is possible now that there is trust and connection. It is simple plan but a much needed one. Take your first step and schedule the first conversation with .

For a guide to opening up those Community Conversations, please visit us here.

If you need help planning your Community Conversations or developing a plan after those conversations, please schedule a time to talk with us today. https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-Together

Gustavo Torres is the Principal of Good Shepherd School in Pacifica, CA. He has been using his past experiences, exercising his business mindset and development skills from his time at the archdiocesan level to lead GSS into the new era of Joy, Wonder and Curiosity. In alignment with the pastor, faculty, families and the local community, over the last 5 years he has been able to take care of the deferred maintenance, increase enrollment and instill a great sense of hope for the future of the school.

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