New enrollment for the 2007-2008 school year began in March and, according to the principal Edward Doherty, enrollment is at an all time high for this time of year.

"We have more than 135 students enrolled for next school year already. Last year at this time we only had 50," said Doherty, a former superintendent of schools in the Fort Worth diocese and principal at HTCS since 2005.v

The National Catholic Education Association reported that 123 schools closed in 2003 and 173 schools closed during the 2005 academic school year.

HTCS is the oldest continuously operating elementary school in Dallas, celebrating its 93rd anniversary Oct.12, 2007. Supporters call Holy Trinity Catholic School a place "Where a Lifetime of Learning Begins."

Dr. Ned Vanders, the principal from 1991 to 2005, was brought to HTCS to close down the school.

"The enrollment was down and there was a $90,000-plus deficit," said Vanders, now superintendent of schools in the Austin diocese. "Sister Caroline, the superintendent in 1991, and I surveyed the parents. The parents wanted the school and needed the school in the area. The school simply needed to be marketed and promoted."

After a few years, enrollment was at an all-time high, requiring two full Pre-K and Kindergarten classes.

The school is supported by the parish, church, tuition and the Friends of Holy Trinity Catholic School, a nonprofit organization created to bridge the gap between tuition income and the actual cost of educating a student.

Mimi Schuttloffel, associate professor of educational administration and policy studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., said that the financial well-being of Catholic education must come from different sources, other than the parish and families.

"Independent community foundations and businesses need to support the Catholic schools," said Schuttloffel. "Catholic schools prepare students to be very successful at a very young age. The quality of education, moral, and values are the most important strengths of Catholic schools."v

Holy Trinity Catholic School, which in 1963 became the first elementary school in Dallas to earn accreditation, which it maintains today, is an ethnically diverse school with students from 58 different zip codes. The students work at a fully networked computer lab which features the latest in educational software and a computer for every 2.4 students. The school has also added a $4.1 million state-of-the-art building that supports the parish offices, media centers and a school gym. In 2003, the first year of the Community Life Center, the Varsity Girls Basketball team won the Division III Dallas Parochial League championship. In the 2006-2007 school year, the varsity volleyball and all three basketball teams made the playoffs.

"I most enjoy the close-knit community and the strong emphasis on traditional, Christian values," said Beatrice Carter, librarian and alumnus class of 1983. "That is how I remembered it when I was a student here and to which I now can say helped mold my Christian values today."

The faculty is seventh out of 95 area private schools in the percentage of those who have completed their Master's and Doctor's degrees. Each year the faculty continues their education and staff development training.

"I went to school there and left for a while, but I was drawn back and I am very glad the school is still around," said Sheila Madigan Levatino, chairperson of the Friends of HTCS. "Holy Trinity preceded St. Rita's, St. Monica's, Christ the King and all the other schools , just anybody in Dallas will tell you they have an aunt or an uncle or they know someone who attended Holy Trinity."