Monday, January 28, 2013

An Inside Peek at Catholic Schools

Two years ago, Phil gave a talk at a church about the importance of Catholic school education.  Last year, I wrote about the Seven Reasons we Choose Catholic Schools.  Once again Catholic Schools Week is upon us, and I would like to offer an insider's perspective to any of you who are considering your child's future education.

I was lucky enough to have attended Catholic school from 7-12 grade, and then go to a Catholic college for my undergraduate and graduate degree.  Phil's first job out of graduate school was working at our local Catholic high school (where we both now work) and we are able to send our kids to Catholic elementary school.  Their school is from preschool through 8th grade, and after they graduate, they will come to our high school and complete their entire school education in a Catholic school.  Can I possibly type Catholic school any more? ;)

So I feel *qualified* to proclaim the awesomeness of Catholic schools from my unique perspectives.
Maggie's 1st backpack

1) As a student:
After having attended public school on Cape Cod from 1st through 6th grade, I was begging my parents to let me switch schools.  I was being pulled from my science class to tutor a classmate in math, and not challenged in any of my classes because I would finish my work and have to wait for everyone else to catch up.  Their were fights in the cafeteria, girls wearing scandalous outfits to catch the boys eyes, and kids talking about things I knew I shouldn't be hearing.  My mom could see how unhappy I was, and let me tour the Catholic middle school that was an hour away from our house, and I fell in love.  The students were respectful and disciplined, everyone was wearing modest uniforms, and what I remember most were the "knicknacks in the hall" that I couldn't get over because they would have been broken in a second back in the public school hallways.  Remember, this was a public school on idyllic Cape Cod, not some inner city hoodlum, and still the difference was ginormous.
Mother's Day Tea with my Andrew

Somehow my parents scraped up the money for me to attend, and I just thrived. The classes were so academically challenging that when I got to college, I remember thinking high school was much harder!  The smaller class size meant the teachers knew us individually and our classmates were all friends.  There were plenty of social opportunities (like sports teams and clubs) that I never felt deprived in any way.  After getting through most of high school in a nice Christian environment, I knew a Catholic college was what my heart desired.  
John-Paul as St. Michael for All Saints Day

The five years I spent at Steubenville were so important as I matured into adulthood.  To be surrounded by other young adults who took their faith seriously only called me on, and I watched in pain as my friends from home went to secular colleges and lost their faith.  Learning in a faith-filled, disciplined, respectful environment is a priceless gift.  
Eamon's Preschool Graduation

2) As an employee:
I just love working at a Catholic school.  We have Mass or morning prayer offered every day, Confession is once a week, and Adoration occurs on the First Friday of every month.  Where else can you work with those type of perks?  The teachers in Catholic schools really do it for the love of educating these kids, and I think the kids can feel it.  We all have to sign a contract agreeing that we are practicing our faith, and live our lives accordingly.  
MS Walk with our high school

When their overqualified math teacher chooses to work here for less pay as opposed to a public school for more money, the kids understand the teacher's priorities.  Every class begins with prayer, and morning announcements start with a prayer and a list of intentions.  In the art/music/theater department, songs and plays are chosen while being mindful of the type of values and morals we want to share.  Sports teams meet in the chapel for prayer before a game.  We just sent 100 students to the March for Life in DC last week.  There are constantly donations being collected for charities in the area.  Doing good deeds for others is expected and encouraged and made to seem normal.
Coworkers giving their time and talents to charity

3) As a parent:
Before John-Paul was old enough to go to school, I worried about his education.  I wanted the best for him and for me the best meant Catholic school.  I thought about homeschooling as a distant second but honestly did not want to do it.  I think being a mom that homeschools out of necessity but hating it probably wouldn't have made the best homeschooler, you know?  
Eamon on Career Day (We can only hope!)

I prayed a lot about how we could afford Catholic elementary school, went to visit one of many in our area (we are so lucky) and fell in love with the school.    The 4 year old class was in the middle of end-of-the-day-prayer when I was taking a tour, the 8th graders were busy cleaning the classrooms (service is expected), and the best preschool teacher ever was gently waking up the 3 year olds from their nap.  One little cutie woke up and looked at me with marshmallow fluff smeared on his cheek, and gave me a big smile and I was sold.  
John-Paul and a classmate performing at the Ed Fair

After leaving the tour that day and feeling such conviction that John-Paul was meant to attend (but how?), I got a phone call from the Business Manager saying that they actually needed a bookkeeper and if I wanted the job, I could work from home.  Say what?  God answered my prayers!  Now we could afford to send him.  And that cute little fluff-faced boy? He is now a classmate and friend of John-Paul's!  
My oldest boys heading back to school

This leads me to a very important note - if you want your child to go to Catholic Schools but think that you can't afford it, please do the following:

1) Pray
God has no limits to His generosity, and if it's His will, then He will find a way.

2) Apply for financial aid and scholarships
Back when I wanted to send John-Paul to school, we were a family of (almost) 5 living on a teacher's income.  We definitely would have qualified for help, but I didn't even think to do it.  

3) Think outside the box
Now that I am the Business Manager at a Catholic school, I see all sorts of opportunities for people to afford Catholic schools.  Some people (like us) work for the school in order to get their kid's education.  Some parents volunteer their time at Bingo, or other fundraisers in exchange for tuition assistance.  Some parents go in at night or on the weekends and clean the school, or offer whatever talents they have - tech assistance, legal help, tutoring, or coaching a sport in order to afford tuition.  Most parishes will offer a subsidy to help offset the costs, all you need to do is talk to your pastor for help.  Sometimes a relative would be more than willing to invest in your child's education.

What I'm saying is that if your child receiving a Catholic school education is that important to you, try anything to make it possible.  Don't be embarrassed to ask what you can do to help send your child there.  We are Christians and helping one another is what we are called to do!
All Saints Day 2010

I hope and pray that all you Moms and Dads out there who truly desire Catholic schools for your kids will find a way to make it happen.  It was and continues to be the best thing my parents ever did for me, and we are seeing all the benefits of giving the same gift to our children.


35 comments:

  1. What a blessing to have that kind of school! I love that the staff is devoted to the Faith! SO important. We have nothing like that around here. Lots of "Catholic" schools but nothing where I would be comfortable sending them. I remember when I got to Franciscan and it was worlds harder than my previous "Catholic" college. I actually had to STUDY. You are definitely challenged there!

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    1. We have 22 Catholic elementary/middle schools and 5 Catholic high schools in our Diocese...which keeps prices down and parents happy. I'm thinking it's about time for you to move East, okay?

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  2. Wonderful post, Colleen. Sounds like your Catholic school system is Heavenly! Ok...just realized the unintended humor there...Have a great Monday, friend! Happy Catholic Schools Week! : )

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  3. Bookmark!! I'm going to need to bookmark this to use in a few years when we start looking for Pre-K for MM. We have already been looking into the Financial Aid options in our parish and since I hope we will be a family of at least 4 (MM + 1 or more) by the time she goes into school, will also most likely be working on 1 private Catholic High School teacher's salary too, we will hopefully qualify for the aid. I'm so glad your prayers were answered with the work from home job! Really shows how pray really works!

    Great Post!

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    1. I hope you can find similar success when your kids are school age! I think it's only fair for teacher's kids to go for free...but not every Diocese agrees!

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  4. Aaron and I go back and forth on this one all.the.time. We have one or two Catholic schools we would consider sending our kids to (that are not just Catholic in name) BUT, considering 20-25 k a year on schooling for children is a bit overwhelming and, I think there are good reasons to do public as well. We've got a few more years to make any decisions, thanks for the perspective!

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    1. That is CRAZY expensive! Our elementary schools are about $4000 per year, and the high schools are around $8000. Since you'll be a SAHM by the time your kids are old enough for school, maybe you can wrangle a part-time job from home like I did :)

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  5. I love this perspective. My kiddo is not old enough for school but this stays in the back of my mind. Some part of me wants to keep my kids in public school because we need to be the church and be out in the world (are my baptist roots showing?). Another part of me wants to protect and encourage in a Christian environment. Decisions, decisions. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

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    1. I understand about wanting to evangelize to the rest of the world, but I think children need to be nurtured and protected first so they can learn right and wrong and then get sent out into "the world" to evangelize!

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  6. Coming from a students perspective also, I wouldn't think twice about sending my kids to a Catholic School. It's people like your husband and other teachers that make it all worth it. Great education, and great morals. I couldn't ask for anything more.... priceless!

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    1. It's nice to know students appreciate it while they have it :)

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  7. Loved this post! If God blesses us with children Catholic school is where they will go!! I think it prepares them more and teaches them more about our faith! and the more we know the better! great post!!! loved the sweet pictures!

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    1. I will be praying for some babies for your family, Marissa :)

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  8. We kicked off our "Catholic Schools Week" yesterday at mass. It is a blessing to send kids to a school that has a praying environment.

    We do go public though for the upper-grades. High school is just too expensive.

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    1. You do whatever you can, Christine! My husband was in Catholic school for elementary, homeschooled for middle school, and public high school. He turned out just fine :) You have a strong family unit, and that puts kids way ahead of others who sadly lack for it.

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  9. Well I will attest that public schools are filled with "problem" children. 2 of them being my own lol. More and more children are labelled with more disorders now and they just don't go to Catholic. They are advised to put them in Public schools where there are more services for them. But, I would like my James to return to Catholic --I just don't know if its possible. I have been considering Patrick going next year to Catholic--but again, don't know if I should, how he would do. In a Catholic school, they can move faster because they don't have to go slower--half the class doesn't have problems (emotional or intellectual) to slow them down.

    When I went to Catholic grade school/high school what I really liked was the sense of community I got from being among almost all Catholics. I felt like I belonged.

    Despite my beliefs and what I may teach my kids if I homeschooled (and I am going to homeschool Sofia)... they really can't get that same sense of community of faith that you get when you attend a Catholic school day in and day out.

    I think Catholic is ideal but not always possible.

    And where you live really plays into that too. Like you, we are overwhelmed with a large number of Catholic schools in the East and so our tuition is low. But, when we were in CA there was only 1 gradeschool and it was 50-55K a year!

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    1. This is the one area Catholic schools are lacking - any special needs students are usually recommended to go to public schools. My niece, who has been in the same class as John-Paul since they were 3, had to switch to a public school last month (at age 10) because she was having too much trouble with math and our school just lacked the resources to deal with it. We were so sad to see her go, but I am happy she is getting help from the school we are throwing all our tax dollars to!

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  10. We also kicked off Catholic Schools Week yesterday! I am so thankful to be sending our kids to the local Catholic Pre-K -12 school.

    Without a doubt, we make sacrifices to send them to private school. I'm thankful to be able to learn & teach sacrifice at least most of the time. :)

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    1. The Catholic school teachers (and their spouses) thank you parents who sacrifice to do this!!

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  11. Oh wow, daily Mass everyday + a weekly confession + monthly Adoration?! I am a bit jealous of your awesome Catholic school experience. Unfortunately, elementary and middle school for me weren't doctrinally sound. While my children are nowhere near the grade school age yet and I selfishly want to homeschool so bad, it seems like my 2-year old now really thrives off being with peers (he's at a Lutheran preschool 3 days a week - no Catholic preschools near by). I guess I still have some time but I hope God will provide for a faithful school if that's what we are called to!

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    1. I don't think there's anything selfish about homeschooling!! I think it's perhaps the least selfish calling of them all! I know I couldn't do it, and I'm glad I don't have to, but if that is where your heart is then I'm sure you will be an awesome homeschooling mom just like so many of my other bloggy friends!

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  12. This is an awesome post!

    Just a question, though. I went to 15 years of Catholic schools (K-12 and then 3 years of law school) and only continue to grow deeper in love with the Catholic Church. However, I have found that many of my classmates from grade school and high school have fallen away from the Church...and in a big way. They don't seem to be living lives that even remotely reflect good Christian examples. I know that a lot of it has to do with family life and each individual person's own choices, but this troubles me. While I do not have children (I'm not even married!), I fear them "getting sick of" Catholicism if I send them to Catholic schools. I have discussed this with my boyfriend as I really want to send my children to Catholic schools if I am blessed with any and he is concerned about them turning away as well. Of course, there are plenty of people I went to school with who are still practicing their faith, but it is still in the back of my mind. Sorry to be so long-winded, but I just wanted your thoughts on this.

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    1. The way I see it is that as parents, we are entrusted with the souls of our children, and responsible for doing everything we can for their spiritual life in the hopes of getting them to Heaven. We will never know how our children will turn out, but have to pray and hope that what good morals/values/examples we give to them will "stick" with them for their lives. At some point our kids will question their faith and possible rebel, but I think if we can at lease plant the seeds so that down the road, those kids will at least be able to remember the lessons and maybe begin to understand them. Perhaps they can at least think "Well, Mom and Dad seemed happy and I am not, so I wonder if this whole faith thing is the key to happiness?" As sad as it is to see anyone walking away from their faith, I would guess the stats show that it's at least an even number of Catholic schooled kids as public schooled kids. We probably notice the Catholic school kids that have lost their faith more because it is an obvious falling away. Prayers for your future marriage and children!

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    2. Thank you Colleen! I definitely appreciate your thoughts. I couldn't agree more with any of your points...especially about the heightened shocking nature of Catholic school kids falling away. I probably wanted affirmation more than anything else. At the end of the day, let go and let God, right? :)

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  13. This is a great, well written post. :) Education is so important! Our children spend so much of their youth at school! So it better be a great one you can trust, right? I also love uniforms, and think they are amazing at helping preventing distractions and promoting fairness and kindness. Anyhow, I also wouldn't think twice about sending my kids to a Catholic school as long as it was the right one. It is a far better alternative to public school. We feel so blessed that Boston got into the school he is in!!

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    1. Yes, I love that non-Catholics send their kids to Catholic schools - it just proves how great the education is. :)

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  14. Happy Catholic Schools Week! So thankful for the sacrifices my parents made in sending us to Catholic schools...especially now that we are making them ourselves!

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    1. You had great parents and you ARE great parents :)

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  15. I LOVED reading this! So encouraging and all so true! Wish I could see everyone getting ready for school in the morning! haha

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  16. I am doing the five year plan at Franciscan also!! A priest here often uses the green house analogy. Yes this place is a little different than the rest of the world but it is a place to grow stronger in faith and maturity so that you can better be all that each of us are called to be in the world and Church. Can plants grow outside of a green house, of course. However then can grow easier and stronger when nurtured in a green house. I actually wrote an entire post about this!

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  17. I am doing the 5 year plan at Franciscan also!! We have a priest who described this place as a green house. Yes this place can be very different than the rest of the secular world but it is place to grow in our faith and maturity so that we can all that the world and the Church needs us to be. Can plants grow outside of a green house, of course. However, plants can grow easier and stronger when nurtured in a green house environment.

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  18. Just discovered this post!!! Love it...you did a beautiful job advocating on behalf of Catholic Schools!!!! Thank you! My husband and I are currently sending our children to Catholic school as well. Best decision we ever made. (We sent our oldest to public school for one year.) And yes, where there's a will there's a way! Currently my husband is working two jobs, but when the timing is right, I plan to return to the classroom...this time as a Catholic school educator rather than the public school classroom where I spent 10 years. I can never go back!

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  19. My parish is opening a Catholic school the next year or so. I'm hoping to get a position at the school so my kids can attend without putting us in financial trouble. I have a business degree. What sort of positions does each catholic school usually have? Also, typically if you work for the diceses do your children get reduced tuition as well? Or is that just if you actually work at the school. Thanks. Would really love to be apart of the Catholic school system!

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