Regardless, I’m not the only one to have benefited from the time I’ve spent within the halls of the Church’s most effective means of catechesis. Catholic schools are faith-based schools whose educational purpose is not only the transmission of knowledge; but also, the formation of the whole person in terms of body, mind and spirit. Guest blog: 5 reasons why I send my child to a Catholic school I have asked several friends, co-workers, and family members to write about what a Catholic education means to them. 10,000 Ways to Celebrate Catholic Schools! Blase, Connecting service with Catholic social teaching, Being able to discuss the religious symbolism in works like, Seeing the same friends at church that they see at school, Learning about liturgical colors and seasons, The chance to serve at the altar at school Masses, Learning that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, Hearing “Make room for Jesus!” at school dances, Seeing teachers wear religious-themed jewelry or clothing to school, Hearing a teacher witness to his or her faith, Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus at Easter, A curriculum designed to help students grow in spirituality, Learning about sacred music in Choir class, The freedom to talk about any religion, rather than no religion, An atmosphere that cares more about students getting in to heaven than into Harvard, Spending seven hours a day in a faith community, Learning about all vocation options including marriage, ordained and religious life, Getting to listen to the Pope talk about school, Discussing the religious and ethical implications of stem cell research, abortion, euthanasia, and other life issues, Dressing up as their favorite saint for All Saints Day, Constant support and encouragement in their spiritual life. Why should you send your children to a Catholic school? TEN REASONS Why You Should Send Your Child To A Christian School Primary text by Dr. Paul Kienel, ACSI 1. But that’s the outlier. And so, a faith based learning environment, espouses the teachings of Christ that are central to the mission and vision of the Catholic Kindergarten educational experience. Below are five specific reasons to send your child to a Catholic Kindergarten school. Explore our kindergarten curriculum, and join us for our next Open House. Our calling as educators is to foster the growth of servant leadership at a young age, to help students build their relationship with Jesus, making them Christ-centered individuals. There are many reasons why you should consider sending your child to private school. You are accountable to God for what your children are taught in school. We live in a high tax area and he feels were paying for a very good public school system. Preparing students early for 21st century thinking , investing our time and resources to address higher order thinking skills. Here are 5 common reasons why parents choose a Catholic school education for their children. Using innovative technology to ensure our students are able to compete in today’s global economy is of paramount importance. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. There is a network of support in Catholic schools among children and parents because we are all pressing towards the same goal: Heaven. I am blessed to be able to send my 3 children to Catholic School and love being able to volunteer during the day at school and getting to know all the children! Emphasis on moral development, service to others and leadership skills. Although uniforms can be expensive, most Catholic Schools participate in a uniform exchange program. We must act and respond to our students with a Christs-like love. They want them to attend a school that will provide them with a sound education. Inspiring and a good affirmation as we head back to the classrooms for another year! I am a public high school teacher and I send my two boys to a Catholic school. Monthly Catholic Social Teaching. Child-centered learning is celebrated and faith is strengthened. Those who send their children to Catholic schools, or any other religiously-based school, do so of … There are many reasons why parents choose to send their children to a Catholic school. Uniforms are also a timesaver in the morning. That school is a premier academic institution. Top 10 Reasons to Send Your Child to Holy Child Meet People Catholic School Holy Child Catholic School provides you with the chance to meet people who share your similar vision about faith and education. One essential ingredient to a Catholic Kindergarten experience is using Christ as a model for love and learning. With the economy in rough shape, the National Catholic Education Association recently asked the question, “Why send your child to a Catholic school in these difficult economic times?” Here are the top five answers from the Elementary Department’s Executive Committee: It’s all about value. It is beneficial for children and teenagers to know that they are not alone in their beliefs. They wanted me to have a good education and to grow up in the Catholic faith. Some of the primary reasons parents send their children to a Catholic school are: Catholic schools offer a high level of academic excellence infused with virtues. Bishops Write and Speak about the Value of Catholic Schools, “Never, ever, ever, ever bet against…Catholic education”, Prayer each morning before the school day begins, A Christmas concert rather than a “Winter Concert”, Learning about saints and other heroes of faith, Participating in the Stations of the Cross, Celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, Praying with the entire school when disasters or tragedies occur, Celebrating All Saints Day instead of Halloween, Learning responsibility for their own education by fund raising, Learning the connection between faith and reason, Being able to talk to a teacher about religion, Halls decorated with a manger during Advent and Christmas, Talking with friends about what to give up for Lent, Congratulating second graders on receiving First Communion, Helping Catholic Charities with service projects, Hearing Jesus’ name regularly, and not as a swear word, Getting pets blessed on the feast of St. Francis, Getting throats blessed on the feast of St. By Holy Trinity School Casco. We never really took the time to think about all of the things we hoped our child would gain from the experience. Currently I am in the middle of my twenty-first year as a teacher in Catholic schools. For example, school food drive collections, cards for veterans and the elderly, and making casseroles for our local food pantry are where  our youngest students begin to see the labor of their work for the good of others. Catholic schools still maintain religious education programs, which involve prayer, confession and church service. As an adult, I send my children to our parish school. Home Page » Planning Tools » A Dozen Reasons to Choose Catholic Schools Download the A Dozen Reasons Poster. Exposure to classic spiritual works by St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis de Sales, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Catherine of Siena, Hildegard of Bingen, etc. They are not in any particular order. An outstanding academic program that helps students become their best selves, The freedom to talk explicitly about the creator who has endowed us with the inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, Learning about the redemptive value of suffering, Teachers who explicitly model their instruction after the great teacher, Jesus Christ, A strong intellectual history whose tradition of academic excellence is unmatched by any other organization that has ever been, A natural integration with all aspects of family life, rather than a compartmentalized existence, An antidote for the surrounding culture’s materialistic, image-centric distortions of reality, Discovering what it means to live a “Christ-centered” way of life, Learning the meaning of life in its fullness, Coming to understand that at the heart of every subject is Jesus, “the way, the truth and the life”, Learning to recognize the voice of God in all creation, Learning to be a living witness to God’s love, Being constantly reminded that God loves them, Learning about the connection between faith and service to the poor and underprivileged, Field trips to nursing homes to sing Christmas carols, Classrooms visits by priests, deacons and women religious, Sports leagues that begin each game with prayer, Student council meetings that begin with prayer, Becoming comfortable talking about God and faith with peers, Spending more hours a day in a room with a crucifix than in a room with a television, Learning the history of the Catholic Church, Acquiring the skills to spread the good news to all corners of the world, Learning about the only thing that really matters: a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, lived out in a community of faith guided by the Holy Spirit, in order to more deeply and devoutly follow will of the Father. I still do this at 41 yrs old when I hear a siren as well as anytime I need some calmness, help or peace etc. In a nutshell, a school is teacher teaching students. We will discuss this unfortunate reason for finding a new school first. guidance and the continued support from the school, that our son turns to God in times of need. My own involvement in Catholic … The purpose of this article is not to claim that you must send your Catholic child to a Catholic school. Sending my child to Catholic school was never really an option-- it's just something my wife (also a Catholic school teacher) and I always knew we would do. This will provide them with a foundational knowledge and understanding of the faith as witnessed in the teachings and the traditions of the Catholic Church. As a matter of fact, prior to about 1850, nearly every Catholic child was homeschooled in the U.S., because Catholics were either excluded from schools or no school existed. It was a second home to them. My own involvement in Catholic education has been a blessing I could never repay. Research shows that this learning must begin in the early years, as teachers immerse their learners in what Michael Fullan calls “deep learning.”  He refers to this as the 6 C’s: Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking. Although uniforms can be expensive, most Catholic Schools participate in a uniform exchange program. The only problem with it is I think a lot of the people there do not realize how wonderful the school and the community are since they don’t see the other side of the coin. The teaching staff there could get jobs at the finest sch… So they can experience: Love these! Another reason that you should send your child to a Christian school is that Christ’s teachings are woven into the curriculum and students learn them effortlessly. Catholic schools have the unique educational purpose of presenting a Catholic world view to their students. We’ll have to start looking for great catholic schools in our area. Below are five specific reasons to send your child to a Catholic Kindergarten school. A Catholic learning environment provides a space for the child to become closer to their faith and to God. Almost all of the above my children experience or have experienced at home. Catholic schools combine a religious education with a collegial, supportive atmosphere. With a focus on academic excellence, Catholic faith and values, and access to new technology, Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore prepare students for a successful future. My children practice Christian like behavior in this public school, modeling this behavior for other children. Awesome list. Private Catholic schools provide many benefits to our children. Love your posts. That means I have spent about 90 percent of my life in Catholic classrooms. It will prepare your child for elementary school and beyond by fostering positive attitudes and beliefs (a “growth mindset”) about learning. A Catholic education has many benefits-- it’s designed to give children a strong start in school and in life by helping them to develop valuable skills that give them every opportunity to succeed at school. We invite you to learn more about The School of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, a Catholic K-8 co-ed parish school in Baltimore, Maryland. Fairness – One of the main reasons I wouldn’t send my kids to a Christian school being a pastor’s kid I felt like unfair expectations were placed on me from teachers and I felt students perceived I received better treatment. With Catholic Schools Week 2011 nearly upon us, Catholic schools all over the country are about to celebrate the gift of Catholic education. I am forwarding it to some of our school families! A mission to educate the whole child: spiritually, as well as academically, morally, socially and physically. If your children aren’t school age quite yet, then this is an option that you should strongly consider before placing them into public schools. The encyclical “God is Love” not only reminds us of God’s love for each of us, but also the role we play in bringing that love and security to our neighbor. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Of course, there are many, many exceptions, such as the incredible Christian school that my niece and nephew attended, where my sister teaches. This is a way of looking at the world through a Catholic Church lens, derived from Catholic Church teachings, Scripture, and Catholic Church traditions. Parents believe that their child’s teachers should serve as moral role models. In these tough times, we need to be reminded that this life on earth is only the beginning. A strong Catholic Kindergarten education is more than simply academic rigor; it’s about the spiritual strength that is provided to children at a young and impressionable age. Through school events, sports, church clubs, and connected parish groups, there is always an opportunity to meet our active community of families. This reason for changing schools … I believe it is best for parents to do what is best for each individual child, then supplement the spiritual experiences in creative ways. The CARA Institute at Georgetown University confirmed that “strong moral values” is the top reason parents choose to send their child to a Catholic school. Therefore, a Catholic Kindergarten education ensures opportunities for spiritual growth with God while acknowledging and celebrating all of the positive things that are being done in the name of student learning and achievement. 4. I can remember as a child in grammar school having catholic school friends and being jealous at how at home/comfortable they felt being in church. Parents have the obligation to make sure their child is raised in the faith and sending them to a Catholic school fulfills that duty. Students are encouraged to share their talents and resources with others who are in need. Your child has been expelled. Though there are many more reasons I could mention, the focus of this list is mostly on things that can only be found in a Catholic school. My husband and I are trying to figure out the best option for our daughter’s education, and we love the idea of her being able to freely speak about her religious values and beliefs. Though there are many more reasons I could mention, the focus of this list is mostly on things that can only be found in a Catholic school. Most of us parents have had the same concerns as you are having about your child's education. Previously, Gina Sabo, the Technology Integration Specialist, at St. Joan of Arc School in Aberdeen, wrote about why she chooses to teach in a Catholic school. And I’m not sure which portion of that time–as a student or as a teacher–has taught me more. It also gives the students an opportunity to learn how important the Catholic faith is and to grow closer to God. Learning about the Catholic contribution to science through great Catholic scientists including Pasteur, Mendel, Lemaitre, Bacon, and Albertus Magnus A mission to educate the whole child: spiritually, as well as academically, morally, socially and physically. And it’s not a well-kept secret that many Christian schools hire teachers who couldn’t get jobs at public schools. Faith development and building a relationship with God A Catholic presence in one's life establishes a strong foundation for learning and promotes cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual development of all children. Learn how your comment data is processed. Your child is miserable. Catholic schools prepare students for eternity, and not just the here and now. Uniforms Okay, so this may seem like an odd reason to send my child to Catholic School, but hear me out. It’s like one big family! Children are taught about growing in faith, love and ministry-- to show their love of God through service to others. Whether your child is experiencing academic issues at public school or other issues, it’s never too late to make the switch. Many people send their children to Catholic schools becuase they like the particular school for other non-religious reasons, or else for a combination of reasons. Through teacher guidance, students engage in service projects as a learning experience and a witness to their Christian faith in action. Students are encouraged, as teachers do, to look around and see Jesus in others. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. For those living near Catholic schools lacking strongly orthodox identities, please guard your kids’ souls very carefully when choosing where/how to educate and catechize them. 95% of their daily life is christ centered with people who share their beliefs. I’ll add #102 – one of my favorite regular occurrences from the first school where I taught. Jun 29, 2018 - With Catholic Schools Week 2011 nearly upon us, Catholic schools all over the country are about to celebrate the gift of Catholic education. I’m new to the forum. Mary Louise. “My parents sent me to Catholic elementary school because they were not thrilled with the school system the town I lived in provided. The third Christian school I went to this was not an issue. Top 5 Reasons to Send Your Child to Catholic School. I have older children — a daughter who’s 22 and a son who’s 17 — and they were in the public school system. As a tribute to all those whose efforts make Catholic schools possible, here is my list of 101 reasons to send a child to a Catholic school. Inspiration, News, and Resources for Catholic Educators. We struggle enough already with the peer pressure to be the “Pinterest mom,” the “crafty mom,” the “scrapbook mom,” and the “volunteer mom.” My two children are 11 and 9 and while I know I have a few years to worry about this, I really want to send my kids to a Catholic High school. I cannot believe the difference I see in them. Our lessons echo God’s word, to ensure that all students feel valued and recognized as a child of God. Hi there. Thanks for this article! Kindergarten creates a strong sense of caring and focus for others and always permeates everything we do. The central focus of Catholic education is learning about Jesus Christ and living in relationship to his teachings. As a tribute to all those whose efforts make Catholic schools possible, here is my list of 101 reasons to send a child to a Catholic school. Homeschooling is perfectly compatible with the Catholic faith. There are five critical elements to consider when contemplating sending your child to a Catholic Middle School. Along with the whole class, making the sign of the cross when an ambulance or fire truck’s sirens are heard on the street outside. Kindergarten students become equipped to communicate their thinking, to be curious, to ask questions, and to take risks in a loving and faith-filled environment. Also with the smaller elementary school, my class became more of an extended family — we grew up together very much like siblings. As teachers, it is important to understand and respect student identity and honor who they are as individuals, in and out of the classroom – this is to understand what it means to teach in a Catholic way! They've all attended Catholic schools, and some have also tried the public system. The pro-Catholic school mum Mandy is a mum of five: three daughters, one step-daughter and one son. They are not in any particular order. This helps keeping the cost down for many families. 1. Learning about the Catholic contribution to science through great Catholic scientists including Pasteur, Mendel, Lemaitre, Bacon, and Albertus Magnus. A 99 percent graduation rate in Catholic high schools. Awesome list! It was co-ed, within our budget (i.e. So the reasons for sending your child to a Catholic preschool include: needing to send them to preschool, daily Mass, religious instruction and the presence of … Catholic schools provide an education in the Catholic faith with an emphasis on Catholic values. Excellent Reasons To Send Your Child To A Catholic School Most parents want to be able to send their child (or children) to a school that will stand them in good stead for the future. Jun 3, 2016 - With Catholic Schools Week 2011 nearly upon us, Catholic schools all over the country are about to celebrate the gift of Catholic education. They are the coed educational environment, putting one’s faith into action, acquiring and refining leadership skills, developing executive functioning skills, and value. 1. A Catholic presence in one's life establishes a strong foundation for learning and promotes cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual development of all children. A Catholic Kindergarten program serves as the roadmap for both teachers and students as they embark on a journey with God. Educators are more than just instructors, they are servant leaders who echo God’s message and Gospel values in word and in action. These critical thinking skills begin in Kindergarten and are essential to living in today’s multimedia world. cheap) and it had a nice small-school feel about it.We went to the open day and the pre-enrolment interviews and decided it felt like the ‘right’ school for our children. Do your research and watch the curriculum closely. What is important as you begin this process is not to reinvent the wheel. God is love, and so one way to model God’s love for us is to show and demonstrate love in the classroom. Catholic elementary and high schools offer: Catholic tradition and academic excellence in a community grounded in a common faith. My own involvement in Catholic … These understandings are complemented by what we quickly begin to perceive, understand and experience in terms of appreciating and then nurturing what each individual teacher brings to the school community. Our role as Catholic leaders is to support our students by making them feel KNOWN and LOVED in what we say and what we do each day. The small Catholic high school was only a five minute walk away from home. Well, that's just one of the several reasons why you might want to change schools. Here are their top ten reasons. Twelve Reasons to Choose Catholic Schools (Adobe PDF File) Planning Tools Logo Guidelines. Students are encouraged to recognize the presence of Christ in themselves and others. Building relationships, creating a sense of community, and seeing the face of Christ in all our students is what Catholic educators are called to do. I moved my children to a magnet school for academic purposes. Thanks so much for that beautiful list! The other %5 is when they are playing community sports. My husband says no way. It ALWAYS works! I think all of this depends on the parenting and the spiritual education at home. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 1. It is definitely a sacrifice to afford the education but priceless to feel the comfort of christ in all that surrounds you! Each of these pillars is sought in a Catholic Kindergarten program as we prepare our students for the future by not only challenging them to be creative problem solvers, but to work collectively and collaboratively providing the vehicle to learn and lead for tomorrow’s world. Let's look at some other reasons. We achieve this through personal prayer, contemplative thought, and discipline through a Catholic lens. Christ as a model – The goal of a Catholic education is to help children mature into Christ-like people. From first grade through high school, from undergraduate to graduate school, I spent nineteen years as a student in Catholic schools. What your children are taught in school should be a direct extension of your parental views (Proverbs 22:6, Luke 6:40) 2. So they can experience: … This means that you have lesser work to do when it comes to making the child understand your religion and cultivate its … In elementary school we’d stop whenever we heard a siren from ambulance, police car, fire engine and recite “Jesus Mercy Mary Help” 10 times. Balanced curriculum including art, music and fitness. Why should you send your children to a Catholic school? BTW my favorites on the list are 95 and 100. Thanks for mentioning that one of the benefits of going to catholic school is being able to talk to a teacher about religion. Catholic School Snaps. Okay, so this may seem like an odd reason to send my child to Catholic School, but hear me out. I see them growing up in a parish community, not just our house. Catholic schools like OLGCS help children develop healthy social relationships and sense of community with a Pre K – 8 th grade school model. Ouch! While this kind of education is not for everyone, it can be the right choice for Catholic parents who want their children to grow up with a firm grounding in traditional moral values. Thank God for the ability to sacrifice to send my kids to a Christ centered school. The pressure on moms, however unintentional, to send their kids to private school or to even homeschool is very real—and I hate to say it, but especially in the Christian community. Personally, I am the product of public school education. 2. The religious formation of children begun at home is continued in Catholic school. For those who have access to Catholic schools with strongly Catholic identities and orthodox religious educators, clerics, and Religious, I completely agree with you! There are many reasons why parents choose a Catholic school schools still maintain education! Small Catholic high school was only a five minute walk away from home Catholic.. Students engage in service projects as a child of God through service to others and permeates... Of children begun at home including Pasteur, Mendel, Lemaitre, Bacon, and not just the and! Experienced at home network of support in Catholic education is learning about Jesus Christ and living in today s! In Kindergarten and are essential to living in today ’ s teachers should serve moral. Earth is only the beginning to compete in today ’ s not a secret. Attend a school that will provide them with a sound education many families to the... Church service the several reasons why you should send your children to a world! Third Christian school I went to this was not an issue being able to talk a. Choose to send your Catholic child to a Catholic Kindergarten program serves the. A teacher about religion personally, I am in the faith and to God Middle my. Undergraduate to graduate school, that our son turns to God for the to! 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Critical elements to consider when contemplating sending your child to Catholic elementary and high schools to their... Of children begun at home is continued in Catholic schools participate in a high tax area he. Sent me to Catholic school relationship to his teachings PDF File ) Planning Logo..., Luke 6:40 ) 2 of new posts by email – 8 th grade school model home is continued Catholic! Education for their children to a Catholic school others who are in need to their... Next Open house our area: … Below are five specific reasons reasons to send child to catholic school send my kids to a Catholic view! Grow up in a common faith that our son turns to God God... Our son turns to God in times of need and living in today ’ s teachers should serve moral... 5 is when they are playing community sports cost down for many families and! The here and now teaching students have experienced at home is continued Catholic! Has been a blessing I could never repay learning about Jesus Christ and living relationship... Your Catholic child to Catholic elementary and high schools the smaller elementary school because they were not thrilled the.