Adelante builds on the success of the Latino Enrollment Institute (LEI), which for nine years has been an exceptionally effective engine of Latino enrollment growth in Catholic schools around the country. While the LEI’s explicit focus on school-level change necessitates the commitment of school teams, including year-long leadership formation for principals, Adelante offers an alternative, which is open to a variety of constituents.

We recognize that there are many actors working to advance educational opportunities for Latinos in the United States. Therefore, Adelante will feature a broad range of topics and speakers that will address the variety of ways in which Catholic schools and parishes can work creatively together to embrace, educate, and empower Latino families through the vital ministry of Catholic education.

This two-and-a-half day conference will help build awareness around topics pertaining to Latinos in Catholic schools, as well as expand the network of advocates for this mission. Adelante will embody the overarching mission of the Catholic School Advantage — to promote the unique value of Catholic schools to Latino families, and to help schools and parishes respond effectively to the unique needs of Latino families. In doing so, the conference topics will address the three core goals of the CSA: to embrace the universality of the Church through an increase in Latino enrollment, to educate culturally and linguistically diverse children through excellent academic formation, and to empower all families through the celebration of faith, language, and culture.

While Adelante remains rooted in the three overarching goals of the CSA, each year spotlights a unique topic related to this work. In year one, we took a deep dive into the demographic imperative impacting Catholic schools, and in year two, we explored the challenges that immigration poses for children, families, and schools. The theme for the summer 2021 conference is Growing Latino Enrollment: Marketing, Recruitment, and Admissions Done Well.

We encourage the participation of Catholic school principals, educators, marketing coordinators, recruiters, school board members, counselors, madrinas/parent ambassadors, directors of religious education, business managers, Hispanic ministers, and anyone else who is engaged in this mission to advance educational opportunities for Latino children.

We are excited to be collaborating with the Institute for Latino Studies, whose work in advancing the understanding of the fastest-growing and youngest population in the U.S. will enhance this conversation greatly. ILS stands at the center of research that asks the fundamental question: Aside from simply bringing the large number of Latino Catholics in, how can we foster the many gifts that they bring being put at the service of the Church and the service of our country?

We firmly believe that Catholic schools are one of the most powerful institutions for human formation and societal transformation, whose impact is especially pronounced amongst the growing number of Latino youth. Join us this summer to learn more about how we can all work together to put Latino children and our nation on the path to a bright future.

¡Adelante!

Adelante features a broad range of topics and speakers that address the variety of ways in which Catholic schools, parishes, and dioceses can work together to embrace, educate, and empower Latino children and families through Catholic education. Although we've had to postpone Adelante for the second year in a row due to the pandemic, we look forward to resuming this conference in 2022 with the theme, Growing Latino Enrollment: Marketing, Recruitment, and Admissions Done Well. We will offer several keynote presentations, as well as numerous breakout sessions tailored to the specific realities of Catholic schools serving—or aspiring to serve—a culturally and linguistically diverse student population.

By attending Adelante, participants will learn from school, parish, and diocesan leaders with demonstrated success in implementing innovative Latino outreach strategies, as well as from some of the nation's top scholars working to promote a deeper understanding of the U.S. Latino experience. Conference sessions will be built around the three core goals of the Catholic School Advantage, and will help foster robust discussions around how we can embrace, educate, and empower Latino families through Catholic schools.

Benefits of attending Adelante

• Learn about the fastest-growing and youngest population in the United States and its implications for the Catholic Church and Catholic schools


• Develop an actionable marketing plan to grow Latino enrollment


• Learn proven marketing strategies on how to attract Latino families to Catholic schools


• Develop a deeper understanding of cultural influences in the lives of children and how to create culturally sustaining classrooms and schools


• Network with other Catholic school and diocesan leaders from around the country who are engaged in this vital ministry


• Learn how to leverage community resources to promote your school and grow enrollment


• Learn strategies for ensuring the long-term sustainability of your Catholic school through proven advancement practices

We regret to announce that, after much deliberation, we have decided to postpone the 2021 Adelante conference until the summer of 2022. We thank you for your patience and your understanding, as there were a number of important factors that we had to carefully consider when making this decision. We feel quite confident that the upcoming year will bring about a much greater return to normalcy, though, and we look forward to once again hosting the Adelante summer conference in 2022.

Please check back in the fall for further information about registration and dates. In the meantime, please contact Manny Fernandez at with any questions.

1. How does Adelante differ from the Latino Enrollment Institute (LEI)?

The Latino Enrollment Institute is geared towards schools seeking to recruit and serve Latino students, where each principal gets an LEI coach who supports the principal throughout the school year. Adelante is geared toward individuals looking to learn more about the Latino community, how to recruit Latino families, and how to better serve Latino families in Catholic schools. The theme for the summer 2022 conference is Growing Latino Enrollment: Marketing, Recruitment, and Admissions Done Well.


2. Who should attend Adelante?
   
   With multiple breakout sessions throughout the conference, Adelante will be beneficial for a wide range of Church and school employees. Some of them include: principals, marketing coordinators, recruiters, school board members, teachers, counselors, madrinas/parent ambassadors, dual language advocates, DREs, UCCE advocates, business managers, Hispanic ministers, advancement directors, Hispanic liaisons, etc.
   
   
3. What is the timeline for registration?
   
   The registration period typically opens in December and will run through March. Please check back in the fall for further information about registration and dates.
   
   
4. What is the cost to attend Adelante?
   
   The cost of Adelante is $375 per person. This fee includes all accommodations, meals, and materials while you are on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. All participants are responsible for their own travel.


5. Can I use Title funds to pay the registration fee?
   
   Yes, we strongly encourage schools to access Title II (professional development) and Title III (English language learners) funds to defray the cost of attending the Adelante conference. On the registration form, a participant can request to pay via title funds, and we will send the participant an invoice, a Notre Dame W9 form, and an agenda that will satisfy the local education agencies (LEAs).


6. What is the closest airport to the University of Notre Dame?
   
   The closest airport is South Bend International Airport (SBN), which is about a 12-minute cab ride to the University of Notre Dame. It is often more expensive than other major hubs, but this largely depends on where you are traveling from. Midway International Airport and O'Hare International Airport are both in Chicago, and the commute, on average, is about two hours. Both airports are considerably less expensive to fly into. Midway is a bit closer to campus than O'Hare, and is also the smaller of the two airports.
   
   
7. What are the accommodations like on campus?
   
   Participants stay in an air-conditioned residence hall on campus at the University of Notre Dame. All rooms are single occupancy with a sink, while the bathrooms and showers are shared and gender-specific by floor.
   
   
8. Can I stay in the residence hall an extra night should I choose to arrive a day early or stay an extra day?

Yes, you may come a day early or stay one extra night if you so choose. We understand that for some people, especially those traveling from the west coast, it can often be extremely difficult (and sometimes impossible) to arrive in time for the opening session of the conference when departing that same day. Conference participants also frequently choose to extend their stay an extra day to explore Notre Dame's campus, which is beautiful in the summer. There will be an additional fee of $65 per night should you choose to stay an extra night in the dorm. If this is something you plan to do, please select this option your registration form.


9. If I choose to forego the accommodations provided in the residence hall on campus, will I receive a discount in my registration fee?
   
   Unfortunately, no. The cost to attend the conference is a flat fee, regardless whether or not participants choose to stay on campus in the accommodations provided. Should you choose to make other arrangements for your time here at Notre Dame, it will be in addition to the conference registration fee and at your own expense.
   
   
10. What should I bring to the conference?
    
    Other than walking shoes, clothes, and maybe an umbrella (we do have an occasional summer shower at random times), there is not much to bring. Participants will stay in a dorm on campus. The dorm is air-conditioned and each room has a sink, but not a private bath or shower (there are community bathrooms). All rooms have bedding and towels and blankets. Now, while this is a nice dorm, we realize that everyone has their own idea of "comfortable." The vast majority of past participants have been fine with the dorm accommodations, but others, in the past, have suggested you might want to bring:
    
    
    • shower shoes
    • your own pillow, if this is something you are particular about
    • your own blanket, again, if this is something you are particular about
    • bathrobe


11. What is the suggested attire?
    
    Please be comfortable and relaxed. There will be no events in which you have to wear anything formal. We will be attending the Sunday evening Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at 9:00 p.m. the first night, but during the summer months, dress for this Mass is very casual as well. We just want you to be comfortable during your time here.