Switching to Catholic school- tips?

[Anonymous]

We live outside of the area and our public schools are crappy and getting worse every day. I can’t bear to send our kids to the public middle school. So we decided that moving over to Catholic school seems like a better choice for us right now. 2nd and 4th grade, Any tips for preparing for the switch?

[Anonymous]

They are very strict & traditional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are very strict & traditional.

It depends on the school, but compared to the free for all that some publics appear to be, it may seem so at first.

Catholic schools aren’t what they were a couple generations ago (what is?) but they still give a solid grounding in the basics. Again, a lot depends on the school. You may want to supplement in math and science.

Please be mindful that Catholic school is just that — Catholic — and that religious instruction and training are part of the structure and the curriculum, not mere incidentals. If you have a problem with that, you should save everybody trouble and look elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Expect lots of homework. Lots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very strict & traditional.

It depends on the school, but compared to the free for all that some publics appear to be, it may seem so at first.

Catholic schools aren’t what they were a couple generations ago (what is?) but they still give a solid grounding in the basics. Again, a lot depends on the school. You may want to supplement in math and science.

Please be mindful that Catholic school is just that — Catholic — and that religious instruction and training are part of the structure and the curriculum, not mere incidentals. If you have a problem with that, you should save everybody trouble and look elsewhere.

This! Go into it with your eyes wide open. Are you Catholic (practicing, lapsed or somewhere in between?)

[Anonymous]

Just my honest opinion here. I had a horrible experience in Catholic school. Be prepared for potential brainwashing and bigotry. That's the main reason my parents pulled me out of Catholic school after 5th grade and sent me to public school. Additionally, one of my teachers wouldn't let me talk about evolution, so if your kids like science tell them not to talk about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just my honest opinion here. I had a horrible experience in Catholic school. Be prepared for potential brainwashing and bigotry. That's the main reason my parents pulled me out of Catholic school after 5th grade and sent me to public school. Additionally, one of my teachers wouldn't let me talk about evolution, so if your kids like science tell them not to talk about that.

We’ve been to 3 Catholic schools in 3 different regions and never experienced any of this. Our kids get real science and often talk about thought-provoking social issues. They can disagree with Catholic doctrine, they just need to know that it exists. It’s a different world, PP.

[Anonymous]

I would deeply investigate what they do to protect kids against sexual assault.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just my honest opinion here. I had a horrible experience in Catholic school. Be prepared for potential brainwashing and bigotry. That's the main reason my parents pulled me out of Catholic school after 5th grade and sent me to public school. Additionally, one of my teachers wouldn't let me talk about evolution, so if your kids like science tell them not to talk about that.

Well the times they are a changing Doris

[Anonymous]

Be prepared to pray at parent events

[Anonymous]

I would never.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be prepared to pray at parent events

Wut

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are very strict & traditional.

They are what public school was like when I was in school in terms of discipline and behavior expectations. I wish public schools could reset and enforce rules but I doubt they ever will.

[Anonymous]

My son is finishing up his 7th year in Catholic schools. He is an atheist and has never felt uncomfortable. He doesn't say any prayers or receive communion at masses. He takes religion classes but he says it is more like history than "You must be Catholic." I'm sure a lot depends on the individual school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would deeply investigate what they do to protect kids against sexual assault.

More than most public schools do - they have completely reworked things these days.

We spent time at the school attached to our parish in the pandemic. Differences were: stricter behavior expectations, like scolding a kindergarten kid for silently fidgeting in Mass on zoom. Also much more proactive at combating bullying. Classes were small (under 10 kids), but no individual attention really because it was very “On this day we teach X in Y manner because ‘‘twas ever thus.” No centers, but that could have been Covid. They used cursive and referred to me as Mrs DHLastname constantly.

The community was close knit so it was a little hard to break in but when we did we were IN in a way that felt kind and caring.

Definitely not a perfect cultural fit for us, even though we practice at the parish, but we could have been happy there for years if we needed to be.