2026-27 School Year On Tap For Diocesan Catholic Schools

Amarillo—On Tuesday, Aug. 11, Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Amarillo will begin the 2026-27 school year, culminating on Friday, May 21 with the Commencement Exercises for the Holy Cross Catholic Academy Class of 2027.
But before the senior class can move its tassels to officially become alumni, the new school year must first play itself out and knowledge must increase. Here are thumbnail sketches of the five Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Amarillo.
 
Holy Cross Catholic Academy, Amarillo
Location: 4110 South Bonham, just north of Saint Joseph’s School
Phone number: 806-355-9637
Website: holycrossama.org
Registration Information: Registration for the 2026-2027 school year for grades six through twelve is ongoing, according to Craig Logan, Principal at Holy Cross Catholic Academy.
Prospective students are asked to begin the admissions process with one simple application at holycrossama.org/admissions. Students and/or parents can then call the school or check the website to set up a tour and an interview with the administration at 806-355-9637.
 
Welcome to Holy Cross: Sixth grade orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 3:00pm until 5:15pm, followed by a meeting for sixth grade parents and families new to HCCA at 5:00. Back to School Night begins at 5:30, with Knights of Columbus Council #4621 serving hamburgers and hotdogs. Students and families are invited to drop off school supplies and meet the teachers until 7:00.
“Teachers return for in-service on Monday, Aug. 3 and our normal office hours resume that day as well,” Logan said.
 
New to the Family: Holy Cross welcomes several new and/or semi-new members to the staff and faculty:
• Jana Fincke joined HCCA during the fall semester last year and will continue teaching Math. She comes to HCCA after retiring from Randall High School.
• Angela Gladman joins Holy Cross, coming from St. Mary’s Cathedral School, and will be a welcome addition to the Middle School Language Arts department, according to Logan. Gladman will also be involved with the teaching of the Junior Seminar.
• Denise Logan will fill the shoes of Lynette Rickwartz, who finished her last year at Holy Cross and will enjoy her family in retirement. Logan comes with 36 years of teaching experience with Canyon ISD, most of those with Randall High School.
• Stacy Ferguson joined HCCA mid-year in the 2025-2026 school year teaching Physical Education (PE) and Weight Training and will continue in those capacitates as well as becoming a welcome addition to the Language Arts department, according to Logan. Ferguson was formerly at Randall High School.
• Dick Jones joined HCCA in the second semester of the 2005-2026 school year as the Assistant Athletic Director and will take over as the Head Athletic Director this year. Jones comes to HCCA after retiring from Amarillo High School, where he taught Social Studies and served as Baseball Coach. Most recently, he taught Social Studies at San Jacinto Christian Academy, Amarillo.
• Susan Cook joins HCCA for Special Programs support. She comes to HCCA after retiring from Amarillo ISD at Crockett Middle School.
 
Returning Faculty: Back for another year at Holy Cross are:
• Michelle Womble, who will continue to teach Physical Education (PE) and will join HCCA full-time adding teaching duties for College and Career Readiness and Social Studies. She will continue coaching HCCA’s varsity Girls’ Basketball team as well as Middle School Volleyball.
• Tim Gallegos, will step into the Assistant Athletic Director position;
• Donna Kerr, High School/Dual Credit English, Capstone, National Honor Society (NHS)/National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and Speech Coach;
• Cassy Summerlin, High School/Dual Credit Science, Robotics;
• Joe Sharp, Middle School and High School Math;
• Sara Burkhard, Middle School Science and Math, Practical Science and Introduction to Culinary;
• Jamie Badillo, Counselor, Leadership, Junior Seminar
• Kim Maki, Math, Art, Middle School Science, Student Council;
• Mike Mobley, Choir, Orchestra;
• Veronica Mullen, Theology and Religion, Campus Minister;
• Chris Christian, Associate Principal, Socials Studies, Film;
• Randie Christian, Special Programs teacher, Government/Economics Dual Credit;
• Jessica Huerta, Soul Core;
• Dollie Henderson, Middle School and High School English, Yearbook;
• Cindy Irlas, Campus Clerk;
• April Fetterman, Office Manager;
• Miechele Ronquillo, Marketing and Development Director; and,
• Joe Bosquez, Maintenance.
 
Coming Attractions: Include the Homecoming football game Saturday, Oct. 24 against Plainview Christian and the annual Calendar Party on Friday, April 2.
 
Saint Joseph’s School, Amarillo
Location: 4118 South Bonham, in between St. Joseph’s Church and Holy Cross Catholic Academy
Phone number: 806-359-1604
Website: stjosephamarillo.com
Email: [email protected]
Registration Information: Registration for the 2026-27 school year for PreKindergarten through fifth grade is ongoing, according to Saint Joseph’s School principal Angela Seidenberger. Prospective families are asked to begin the registration process by filling out the admission application at stjosephschoolamarillo.com/admissions. Parents may contact the school to set up an appointment for school tours at 806-359-1604.
 
Back to School Night: Saint Joseph’s School families are invited to attend Back to School Night on Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 5:30pm-7:00 pm. Families will have the opportunity to drop off their student’s school supplies, meet the faculty and staff, ask questions and eat hamburgers and hotdogs.  
 
Seidenberger Sounds Off: “What a blessing it is to have all of our classroom teachers returning this year—a true testament to the wonderful culture we have at our school. Our playground has been a great success, our new parking lot looks fantastic and several of our interior spaces are receiving fresh paint this summer.
“The halls continue to buzz with activity as we prepare to welcome students for the 2026–27 school year. Our theme this year is Walk Humbly with God (Micah 6:8). We strive to live our Faith and teach virtue in all that we do, extending even to our restorative approach to discipline, where every student is recognized for their inherent dignity.
“We look forward to welcoming back our students and families for another wonderful year of growth—academically, spiritually and as a school community. We are excited to see our students continue to flourish in Faith and learning and we are grateful to be welcoming new families as our school continues to grow.
“Here's to another year of learning, Faith, service and community together.”
 
New to Saint Joseph’s School:
• Claudia Valencia, Admin Assistant; and,
• Mark Harold, Physical Education.
 
They join the returning faculty consisting of:
• Angela Seidenberger, Principal;
• Amanda Almanza, Administrative Assistant;
• Sterline Kratochvil, Assistant to Admin;
• Angie Warren, Business Manager;
• Miechele Ronquillo, Marketing Director;
• Isabel Peña, PreKindergarten 3,
• Elle Waters, PreKindergarten 4
• Cailin Spencer, Kindergarten;
• Colleen Huseman, First Grade;
• Caryn Hawkins, Second Grade homeroom; Second and Third Grade ELAR and Social Studies;
• Carol Rayos, Third Grade homeroom; Second and Third Grade Math and Science;
• Jana Harold, Fourth Grade homeroom, Fourth and Fifth ELAR and Social Studies; Dyslexia Specialist
• Valerie Jasso, Fifth Grade homeroom, Fourth and Fifth Math and Science;
• Bond Thompson, Music;
• Audee Seidenberger, Library Manager and Resource Companion;
• Saharay Regalado, Spanish;
• Judi Correa and Imelda Medina, Cafeteria Staff; and,
• Judi Correa, Custodian.
 
Coming Attractions: Among the events of note at Saint Joseph’s School this school year include:
• The annual St. Joseph’s School Carnival is set for Saturday, Oct. 10 from noon to 7:00pm;
• The 19th annual Catholic Schools Sweepstakes, sponsored by Catholic Life Insurance. Tickets will be sold following the school carnival; and,
• The school will sponsor its fifth annual Scrambling for Scholarships Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 24.
 
St. Mary’s Cathedral School, Amarillo
Location: 1200 South Washington, next door to St. Mary’s Cathedral
Phone number: 806-376-9112
Website: stmarysamarillo.org
Registration Information: Registration for the 2026-27 school year continues at St. Mary’s Cathedral School, with spaces still available in all grade level classrooms, according to principal Kim Lackey. Registration information can be accessed on the school's website, stmarysamarillo.org.
“We’re looking forward to another school year and cannot wait to see all of our stars,” said Lackey.
 
Faculty and Staff at St. Mary’s Cathedral School 26-27:
• Kim Lackey, Principal;
• Natalie Aguirre, Kindergarten;
• Veronica Becerra, Fourth and Fifth Grade RLA and Social Studies;
• Debra Bridenbaugh, Librarian, Star Lab;
• Patti Burk, Kindergarten;
• Jannett Camarillo, Instructional Specialist;
• Jene Carey, Kindergarten;
• Jordan Carrasco, First Grade;
• Hallie Baber, Third Grade;
• Michelle Kettle, Music;
• Julia Mason, Pre K;
• Amy Monroe, Physical Education and Art;
• Francis Morales, First Grade;
• Missy Musick, Third Grade;
• Tifanie Rathbun, DIP;
• Ivonne Tinoco, STEM, keyboarding;
• Mother Angela Marie Ricigliano, ACK, Atrium;
• Chelsea Schulze, Second Grade; and,
• Makalyla Smith, Fourth and Fifth Grade Math and Science.
 
Coming Attractions: Including the first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 11, which will be a ½ day. The other major date on the St. Mary’s Cathedral School calendar is the annual Fall Carnival, set for Saturday, Oct. 3. Raffle tickets will be on sale the first week of school.
 
St. Anthony of Padua School, Dalhart
Location: 410 East 13th Street
Phone number: 806-244-4811
Website: stanthonydalhart.com
Registration Information: Registration for the 2026-27 school year continues at St. Anthony of Padua School, with spaces still available in K-6 grade level classrooms, according to principal Shay Batenhorst. Registration information can be accessed on the school’s website, stanthonydalhart.com. The school office will open from 9:00am to 1:00pm,  beginning Monday, Aug. 3.
“St. Anthony of Padua School is looking forward to a great year ahead,” Batenhorst said.
 
Returning Faculty: Back for another year at St. Anthony of Padua School are:
• Shay Batenhorst, Principal;
• Whitlea Mason, Classroom Aide;
• Nikki Smith, First Grade;
• Paige Davis, Third and Fourth Grade;
• Dedra Hill, Fifth and Sixth Grade;
• Virginia Cendejas, Classroom Aide;
• Alena Keeton, Classroom Aide;
• Chance Helms, Physical Education;
• Sarah Pollard, Religion teacher and library manager;
• Jamie Stevenson, Non-core teacher;
• Meghan Rogers, Interventionist;
• Celia Martinez, Secretary; and,
• Joanna McGaugh, Technology Director.
 
New to the St. Anthony of Padua School family are:
• Beatriz Rivero, Kindergarten;
• Tatum Blanco, Second Grade;
 
Important Dates of Note: Include Back to School Night on Monday Aug. 10 from 5:00pm to 6:00pm, with the first day of school the following day. Other dates of importance include:
• Monday Aug. 24, Safe Environment Training;
• Tuesday, Aug. 25, First Home School Association Meeting;
• Sunday, Oct. 18, the annual Oktoberfest and Auction at Rita Blanca Coliseum.
 
St. Anthony’s School, Hereford
Location: 120 West Park Avenue
Phone number: 806-364-1952
Website: stanthonysaints.com
Theme for the school year: Believe in the power of prayer. Pray for each other so that you may be healed. (James 5:16)
“This year, we invite our students, families, faculty, and parish community to grow together through the power of prayer, Faith, compassion and unity,” said Linda Gonzalez, principal at St. Anthony’s School. “As we pray for one another and support one another, we strengthen our relationship with God and build a loving community centered in Christ.”
 
Registration Information: St. Anthony’s School is currently accepting students in grades K4-
fifth grade. For additional information or to register this month, please contact
Gonzalez at 806-364-1952 or administrative secretary Edith Ramirez at 469-493-
2430. An enrollment/registration packet can be downloaded from the school’s website,
stanthonysaints.com. The school office is closed this month and is open by appointment
only.
 
New to the school: St. Anthony’s School welcomes two new faculty members:
• K5 position open and,
• Patrick Hayes, Dyslexia and Technology Lab, Fifth Grade.
 
Returning Faculty: Back for the 2026-2027 school year are:
• Linda Gonzalez, Principal;
• Edith Ramirez, Administrative Secretary;
• Diana Guerrero, K-4; and Physical Education;
• Yvette Alaniz, Second Grade;
• Andrea Olivarez, Fourth Grade;
• Bridget Maldonado, Religion and Marketing Director;
• Leslie Lomas, Librarian/Dyslexia: Reading by Design
• Rocio Ochoa, K-4 Para and Extended Day;
• Susan Shaw, Music;
• Cynthia Rolley, Tutor;
• Delia Garcia, Cafeteria Manager;
• Juanita Chavez, Cafeteria Assistant;
• Marco Gomez, Head Custodian/Maintenance; and,
• Margarita Ruiz, Custodian.
 
Coming Attractions: Among the event scheduled this year at St. Anthony’s School include:
• Back to School Night, on Tuesday Aug. 11;
• Grandparent’s Week, Monday, Sept. 14-Friday, Sept. 18;
• Blessing of the Pets Friday, Oct. 2;
• The annual Gala, on Saturday, Oct. 3;
• Children’s Business Fair, Saturday Dec. 5;
• Christmas Play Thursday, Dec. 17;
• Catholic School Week, Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 7. Opening Mass at St. Anthony’s Church, with the closing Mass at San Jose Church;
• The annual PTO Auction Sunday, March 7;
• Shadow stations, Friday, March 12; and,
• Seder Meal Thursday, March 25.