Why should we consider a Catholic school?

[Anonymous]

Our entire family attended Catholic schools in the DC area--all except for my dc. We are currently weighing the benefits of sending them to Catholic school vs. public.

Has anyone experienced this, and saw the benefits of changing to a Catholic school in the elementary years? (For ex, stronger values amongst the kids, more of a small, community school environment?)

Say, if academics and classes of our local public were equal to the Catholic schools we are considering. Ultimately, other than a Christian-based education, what other benefits does a Catholic school offer?

[Anonymous]

I think the biggest draws of a Catholic School are either for families who want their children to be immersed in the Catholic faith, or families whose local public school is weak. It sounds like neither of those apply to you.

Other reasons:

1) You like a more traditional style of education, uniforms, formality between teachers and students, lots of structure etc . . .
2) You like the continuity of having your child stay in the same program during middle school which is often a tumultuous time.
3) You like the idea of a small progam in middle school. Most K-8 Catholic programs have far fewer 6 to 8th graders than most public schools, and many parents see this as a benefit.
4) The particular Catholic school is, in some way, particularly convenient to you, for example you want a school near Grandma's as she's your aftercare, and the Catholic school is across te street.
5) You want your child to go to Catholic High school, such as Visitation or Gonzaga and feel that their chances of admissions are higher from a parochial school.
6) You like the degree of control you have in a private school, and want a reasonable tuition.

[Anonymous]

Adding to 20:50

We chose parochial school for many of those reasons but a huge part of it was for the close community. My kids don't come home asking for visits from or with friends that I don't know and who's families I don't know so there's comfort in that when you are "new parents." My kids love seeing daddy helping with morning dropoff and he is still easily able to get to work on time. He also coaches our kids and their classmates and is able to meet all the parents.

I get the sense everyone knows everyone. Our principal knew both of us and our children by name right away and is on top of everything happening in the school and parish. The teachers quickly respond to messages or better yet, they are standing right there at dismissal every day if I need to talk to them.

At least at our school the academics are strong and traditional. The religious training is in everything and they teach the kids to practice what they preach. That goes for parents too. We carpool each others kids and take the kids of working parents home with us on early release days or drive them to events they would otherwise miss. We make meals for new babies and family emergencies. The kids see the parents bending over backwards to help the staff do the things that make their school feel like a safe and welcoming place.

Is it perfect? Maybe not but we are very happy.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Catholic schools, but now send my kid to public schools. I agree with the above. Also, I think Catholic schools have smaller class sizes (at least in my area) and a group of parents that have similar values that are then passed down to the kids. My coworker told me that they feel they have a better chance of keeping their kids away from the typical scary things all parents fear like drugs, early sex, etc.

On the other side of the coin, I have to say that I think our public school teachers are generally better then the teachers I had growing up (not to say there are not good dedicated Catholic school teachers, but I had some real duds).

In general, I am happy with our public elem school. There is more diversity and it is a nice community. My kids have nice friends and are doing well academically. We do outside activities to emphasize values. I think when they get to HS, they will also have more choices with classes, etc. too.

[Anonymous]

My 17 yo son has gone to Catholic Schools since 2nd grade and wants to apply to Catholic College. As far as community goes, it has been our experience that the Catholic community is WAY more judgmental than that of the public schools, or other privates. We are a blended family, although I have raised my stepson (the Catholic kid) since he was 4, we never quite fit in with the "mother's mafia" who ran the school. (way too many questions about why he didnt live with his mom, etc. We also dont go to church - I am a very bad Catholic, and also was divorced, so what was the point of going to church??)
Also found the catholic class size to be WAY larger than public school. Again, our experience.

So, why did we keep him in Catholic school? The moral teachings. He is far and away a more personable, polite well adjusted young man than most of his friends. At the high school level (at least where he attends) there is room to debate church philosophy. There are classes in morality, as well as religion. He likes it and is happy.
Just our experience.

[Anonymous]

I wanted a small school with a close knit community. I also wanted a school that truly welcomes parent involvement. My experience in PS was that they say they want parent involvement as long as it is convenient for the administration. Other than that, leave them alone and don't question anything. Our catholic elementary has 2 classes per grade. I know every kid in both classes by now. The principal knows every child's name and knows parents and many grandparents. Same can be said of the AP and much of the front office staff, school nurse, etc. I know many of the other families in our grade and I have always felt like we share the same values generally speaking. I also don't feel uncomfortable calling other parents if issues come up.

I work fulltime and am somewhat of an anomaly since the overwhelming majority of mothers are at home. More have gone back to work since the economy has tanked, but I am still a minority. Some of them are horribly unkind and say stupid things, but the vast majority are very friendly and doing the best they can for their families.

[Anonymous]

They teach the kids to look people in the eye and have basic social confidence. The kids figure out that life is easier than the school they went to and they are more able to control their life because of it.

[Anonymous]

To 17:06 --

Is your school Mary of Nazareth? If so, I would really be interested in knowing more about the school -- we hope to apply next year. Thx.

[Anonymous]

17:06 here. We live in VA and attended our local parish school. He now attends SJC in DC. Hopes to attend a catholic college in CA or there are a few on East Coast he is looking at.

[Anonymous]

Thought Catholic schools obviously have less religious diversity, I think that they have more ethnic and economic diversity than most of the private schools discussed in this forum.

[Anonymous]

These schools are often much lower in tuition that private schools.

[Anonymous]

Generally I agree with most comments above. Our kids are in catholic school but i went to public school. One difference that I sense beyond whats already been said is that the kids are appear confident. Perhaps because there is a clear moral code taught so they know what's right and wrong and that they always have the opportunity to do the right thing. I find our parish school to be a cross between public school and private school in that there is quite a bit of automony and personal attention like a private school but some oversight, kids are local, not exclusivity like public. The biggest downside is lack of diversity.

[Anonymous]

Consider if:

You like a close minded rigid environment which promotes superiority of a religion and certain ethnicities over others.
You prefer a second rate academic experience that wraps itself in religious teachings and old school academics.
You want an unhealthy emphasis on athletic competition to win at all costs with the pretense that god is involved.
You want an environment where women are second class.
You want an environment that is sponsored by a protector of pedophiles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Consider if:

You like a close minded rigid environment which promotes superiority of a religion and certain ethnicities over others.
You prefer a second rate academic experience that wraps itself in religious teachings and old school academics.
You want an unhealthy emphasis on athletic competition to win at all costs with the pretense that god is involved.
You want an environment where women are second class.
You want an environment that is sponsored by a protector of pedophiles.

At least in a catholic school you'd be guaranteed not to run into this poster! That's a reason for going to a catholic school, IMHO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Consider if:

You like a close minded rigid environment which promotes superiority of a religion and certain ethnicities over others.
You prefer a second rate academic experience that wraps itself in religious teachings and old school academics.
You want an unhealthy emphasis on athletic competition to win at all costs with the pretense that god is involved.
You want an environment where women are second class.
You want an environment that is sponsored by a protector of pedophiles.

Ignore this poster. She is always looking to bash Catholics, and her opinions are irrelevant.