Thank you for this article. When a Catholic school is attractive for all the right reasons, the families themselves will establish the Catholic culture of the school. Barring that, our parochial schools become "respectable" private schools, where anybody who honestly attempts to build a Catholic culture will find they are building on a foundation of sand. I hope more communities begin to realize this and find the courage and the zeal to act, as this school has done.
Bravo for Charlie and OLR!!! Every diocese in America needs a Charile Camosy, someone with the faith, wisdom, courage, and vision to lead families out of the spiritual wasteland of public education. And nominally Catholic high schools and universities (especially those run by the Jesuits!) would do well to look at the experience of these schools. The path to a great Catholic education and a truly Catholic culture lies not in conforming to popular pagan culture but in conforming to the Truth.
A very interesting article. As a Catholic school educator of nearly 58 years, I would like to say an ideal “Catholic” school would be one which pays its educators a just salary based on years of education and the expenses incurred to receive that education. It would also not be influenced by enrollment pushed by the diocese. Enrollment means money. Proper example of a Christian culture should be manifest by behavior of administration and staff. It is foolish to assume that this just happens. Modeling and enforcement are critical. Basics, teaching reading and math skills should be paramount in grades one through three. Keep the classics until basic skills are mastered. Institute an apprentice situation for new teachers. Every day instruction in the ways and behaviors of Jesus. Just my 90 cents worth after many years of loving every day I went to work- mostly the kids who taught me more than I ever taught them!
Yes to all of this! My husband and I currently homeschool our 5 kids, using a Catholic classical curriculum (Mother of Divine Grace), and the reasons include so much of what Mr. Curtin identifies as the problems with most Catholic schools. Our primary goal, even above a strong academic formation, is to form our children in the truth of the Catholic worldview- that our Catholic faith isn’t simply a religion class we take but the reality through which we approach the world. Along with all the excellent points made by Mr. Curtin, I would suggest Catholic schools and communities spend some time reimagining the accepted school schedule of our country. If we believe that the family is the building block for society and that parents are meant to be the primary formators of their children, it seems contradictory to then expect children to spend such a majority of their time away from the life and work of their family. I know this is a larger societal problem built upon the dual income family, but I think having children in school for 7-8 hours a day, plus multiple after school activities, plus homework, plus other school events, all starting at the age of 5 (or younger) doesn’t necessarily reflect the Catholic insistence on the importance of the family. I’m not saying this should swing to full time homeschool (Living this life we see it’s drawbacks!) but I also don’t think the current norms are perfect either. I know this is a challenge, but I do think faithful and sincere Catholic schools and communities should at least consider questioning the societal norms regarding school hours/schedules as well. I also would put in a plug for same-sex classes for certain ages. I went to a Christian middle-school/high-school that separated most classes by sexes and it was such a benefit to my education.
I am employed as a technology professional in a public school. After working here for 10+ years, I've truly given up hope for public education. All the administration cares about are test scores and making sure kids are attending (in person or virtually) every day so funding will continue to flow. We have divorced education from the student, the family, and the teachers.
We are a small Catholic community, so there is no Catholic school option for us at this point, but maybe we can somehow put this model into practice and create something beautiful that will bring in more Catholic families.
Thank you for this excellent article that captures so much that is good about this growing movement. People need environments in which they can raise their kids in the faith. The average parochial school is arguably as likely to innoculate kids against the faith as to give them a love a respect for Catholic culture (let alone a basic understanding of the Catholic doctrine).
Thank you for this article. When a Catholic school is attractive for all the right reasons, the families themselves will establish the Catholic culture of the school. Barring that, our parochial schools become "respectable" private schools, where anybody who honestly attempts to build a Catholic culture will find they are building on a foundation of sand. I hope more communities begin to realize this and find the courage and the zeal to act, as this school has done.
Bravo for Charlie and OLR!!! Every diocese in America needs a Charile Camosy, someone with the faith, wisdom, courage, and vision to lead families out of the spiritual wasteland of public education. And nominally Catholic high schools and universities (especially those run by the Jesuits!) would do well to look at the experience of these schools. The path to a great Catholic education and a truly Catholic culture lies not in conforming to popular pagan culture but in conforming to the Truth.
A very interesting article. As a Catholic school educator of nearly 58 years, I would like to say an ideal “Catholic” school would be one which pays its educators a just salary based on years of education and the expenses incurred to receive that education. It would also not be influenced by enrollment pushed by the diocese. Enrollment means money. Proper example of a Christian culture should be manifest by behavior of administration and staff. It is foolish to assume that this just happens. Modeling and enforcement are critical. Basics, teaching reading and math skills should be paramount in grades one through three. Keep the classics until basic skills are mastered. Institute an apprentice situation for new teachers. Every day instruction in the ways and behaviors of Jesus. Just my 90 cents worth after many years of loving every day I went to work- mostly the kids who taught me more than I ever taught them!
👏👏👏 💯
Yes to all of this! My husband and I currently homeschool our 5 kids, using a Catholic classical curriculum (Mother of Divine Grace), and the reasons include so much of what Mr. Curtin identifies as the problems with most Catholic schools. Our primary goal, even above a strong academic formation, is to form our children in the truth of the Catholic worldview- that our Catholic faith isn’t simply a religion class we take but the reality through which we approach the world. Along with all the excellent points made by Mr. Curtin, I would suggest Catholic schools and communities spend some time reimagining the accepted school schedule of our country. If we believe that the family is the building block for society and that parents are meant to be the primary formators of their children, it seems contradictory to then expect children to spend such a majority of their time away from the life and work of their family. I know this is a larger societal problem built upon the dual income family, but I think having children in school for 7-8 hours a day, plus multiple after school activities, plus homework, plus other school events, all starting at the age of 5 (or younger) doesn’t necessarily reflect the Catholic insistence on the importance of the family. I’m not saying this should swing to full time homeschool (Living this life we see it’s drawbacks!) but I also don’t think the current norms are perfect either. I know this is a challenge, but I do think faithful and sincere Catholic schools and communities should at least consider questioning the societal norms regarding school hours/schedules as well. I also would put in a plug for same-sex classes for certain ages. I went to a Christian middle-school/high-school that separated most classes by sexes and it was such a benefit to my education.
Wonderful article!
I am employed as a technology professional in a public school. After working here for 10+ years, I've truly given up hope for public education. All the administration cares about are test scores and making sure kids are attending (in person or virtually) every day so funding will continue to flow. We have divorced education from the student, the family, and the teachers.
We are a small Catholic community, so there is no Catholic school option for us at this point, but maybe we can somehow put this model into practice and create something beautiful that will bring in more Catholic families.
Just wanted to be certain that folks knew about the G K Chesterton schools: https://chestertonschoolsnetwork.org/
(I'm prejudiced by being friends with one of the instructors.)
Thank you for this excellent article that captures so much that is good about this growing movement. People need environments in which they can raise their kids in the faith. The average parochial school is arguably as likely to innoculate kids against the faith as to give them a love a respect for Catholic culture (let alone a basic understanding of the Catholic doctrine).