Catholic Schools
East Texas Catholic SchoolsFostering the unique gifts of each child and preparing students for leadership in school, Church and global community, the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Tyler offer a Christ-centered, academically challenging Catholic education.
We invite families to explore the difference that Catholic education makes in the lives of our students by visiting one of our school communities.
Why choose Catholic schools?
The Diocese of Tyler believes that parents are their child’s primary educators. As such, parents have many options in selecting an educational institution for their child. Many schools offer classes in English, math, science, and history. Catholics schools not only provide superior curriculum in these areas, but they do so by integrating faith into every subject. That is the Catholic school difference.
Our goal through our Catholic schools is to provide your child with on-going formation in their faith, to develop each students’ God-given gifts, and to prepare them for success in higher education and the global marketplace. We do this through a challenging curriculum, the support of our parents, and in a nurturing environment.
Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Tyler welcome students of all backgrounds and faiths to experience the comprehensive education of mind, heart, and spirit. Consider your student’s academic career a success story waiting to be written. Consider the possibilities and potential to be realized.
Dr. Darbie Safford
Superintendent
Find a Catholic School near you!
Bishop T.K. Gorman
Catholic School
Tyler, Texas
Grades: 6-12
1405 E. Southeast Loop 323
Tyler, Texas 75701
(903) 561-2424
St. Gregory
Cathedral School
Tyler, Texas
Grades: PK-5
500 S College Ave.
Tyler, Texas 75702
(903) 592-4109
St. Mary
Catholic School
Longview, Texas
Grades: PK-12
405 Hollybrook Dr.
Longview, Texas 75605
(903) 753-1657
St. Patrick
Catholic School
Lufkin, Texas
Grades: PK-8
2116 Lowry St.
Lufkin, Texas 75901
(936) 634-6719
St. Boniface
Catholic School
Nacogdoches, Texas
Grades: 9-12
2508 Appleby Sand Rd.
Nacogdoches, Texas 75965
(936) 564-7807
Holy Family
Academy*
Canton, Texas
Grades: PK-4
23951 State Highway 64
Canton, Texas 75103
(903) 567-4659
Our Catholic schools are accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference.
How can the Texas Education Freedom Accounts help your family?
Parent applications for the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program open on February 4, 2026, for funding that will be available for the 2026-2027 school year.
Parents are the first and most important educators for their children. The Texas Education Freedom Accounts help parents fulfill that role with more freedom and support.
A Guide to TEFA for Families (PDF) A Guide to TEFA for School Leaders (PDF)
Parent applications open on February 4, 2026! The application window is February 4 – March 17, 2026.
Visit the Comptroller’s website for more information: www.educationfreedom.texas.gov
Important information for parents of children with special needs (English & Spanish): www.txcatholic.org/tefa-special-education-application-assistance
What are the Texas Education Freedom Accounts?
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) provide parents of students in non-public Texas schools a publicly funded, government-authorized savings account with restricted, but multiple, uses for their children’s education. Parents may use the funds to pay for eligible expenses including school tuition, school breakfasts and lunches, uniforms, tutoring, online education programs, therapies for students with special needs, textbooks or other instructional materials.
How much money is available?
$1 billion has been budgeted by the state, which will serve about 90,000 students. The amount available to each individual student is based on their circumstances:
- Students enrolling in an eligible school can receive up to $10,000
- A student with disabilities can receive up to $30,000
- Homeschooling participants can receive up to $2,000
What must parents agree to?
- Spend program money for eligible expenses only
- Share child’s assessment results with EAO
- Not sell an item purchase with program money
- Notify the EAO with in 30 days of a child enrolling in public school, graduating high school, or otherwise becoming ineligible to enroll in public school
There are four categories of prioritization for applicants:
- Students with a disability whose family income is at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) – see chart below.
- Children whose family income is at or below 200% of the FPG.
- Children whose family income is between 201% and 500% of FPG
- Everyone else, depending upon available funds. Students who move from public schools to private schools will be prioritized over currently enrolled private school students in this category only.
Who qualifies as a “child with disabilities”?
As defined by the State of Texas, a “child with a disability”:
- Is not more than 21 years of age and has a visual or auditory impairment that prevents the student from being adequately or safely educated in public school without the provision of special services; OR
- Is at least three but not more than 21 years of age and has one or more of the following disabilities that prevents the student from being adequately or safely educated in public school without the provision of special services:
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- physical disability;
- intellectual or developmental disability;
- emotional disturbance;
- learning disability, including dyslexia;
- autism;
- speech disability; or
- traumatic brain injury.
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Video Resources
Learn more about the TEFA program from the webinars hosted by the Catholic Schools Office or from a six-part video series available on YouTube!
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts Explained (YouTube)
Todo sobre las Cuentas de Libertad Educativa de Texas (YouTube)
Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) Webinar Recording
Seminario web de información sobre las Cuentas de Libertad Educativa de Texas
Let us know you’re interested in the Texas Education Freedom Accounts!
Parent applications for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts opens February 4, 2026. Now is the time to learn, prepare, and explore how TEFA might help your family. Fill out the TEFA Information Form and we will get you connected with a Catholic School near you!
Working at Our Catholic Schools
Thank you for consideraing a faculty position at a Catholic school in the Diocese of Tyler. Our schools serve both the faith community and society by educating young people to contribute to the common good by becoming active and caring members of the communities, cities, and nation in which they live. If you are interested in joining this mission, all within a supportive Christian environment, we invite you to apply for open positions for which you are qualified.
Full-time employees receive a competitive benefits package, which can be found on our Human Resources page.
Application Information
- Job Openings in the Diocese
- Faculty Application Instructions
- Application Form with Faculty Supplement
Please note that all applications should be sent directly to the school where you are applying. You should also contact the school directly for questions about the application process.