non Christian in Catholic school? Holy Cross Vs. OLOL vs. St. Jane

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are mixed jewish/Christian/muslim AA and sent our son to Catholic schools because he loves the sports culture. He's a good student but a wonderful athlete. A prestigious Catholic school offered him a scholarship to attend for HS. He loves it there. If its a good fit go for it!

Catholic schools aren't allowed to give out athletic scholarships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the religious education in those schools is very light. They have a school wide mass about once a month.

They will learn about stories in the bible. He bible is one of the most read pieces of literature and it would help with basic knowledge since many things she will read will have religious references.

Patience of job
Turn to salt
Prodigal son
Kiss of deal
Thirty pieces of silver
Parting of the sea

I would just treat it like another literature class.

I assume you don't have a child in Catholic school, since this is incorrect, by far.
I can't imagine having a non Christian in a Catholic school, the Catholic faith and teachings are woven into every lesson, every day, with prayers in the morning, at lunch, crucifixes everywhere and weekly mass, plus all the Sacraments with tons of prep when they are older.
It's not a little Catholic lesson here and there, it's the entire curriculum of the school.
I would really think hard and understand what you are getting into before putting a child that is not even Christian into a Catholic school

Yes. I have a child in catholic school and I am not religious. I also have friends of all religions and I don't really care about symbols of their religion. I think because I am open to learning about all religions it is nothing more than something different and interesting.

My kids baby sitter was Muslim and they did all sort of things like I don't do or understand, like going to a certain corner of a room when they entered the house. They sang all kinds of songs in a language I don't know, they could have been praying too... Why would I care?

Religious teachings, traditions and symbols don't bother or scare me. My mom retired from the JCC and sings Shabbat shalom every Friday she is over to my kids, even though she and we are not Jewish.

I also don't care if a football coach prays or they say the pledge of allegiance.

Who cares, lighten up.

Yikes. I don't believe you for one second that you wrote both those posts.

You can't believe that I am not religious, send my child to catholic school, had a Muslim babysitter and my mom worked at the JCC ?

I don't believe that you have a child in Catholic elementary school and believe the religous part is just one class that can be compared to a literature class.
Or if you do you are the worlds most uninvolved parent who just drops off and picks up and hasn't a clue about what actually goes on.

NP here. I believe you PP. although I could care less if you are lying or not - because all of your points were spot on in my opinion. Gotta love these folks who *need* to pick a fight and say some crazy ass bs ("the world's most uninvolved parent"??? REALLY?).
Anyway if the OP is thinking about Catholic school for her non-Christian child you are probably someone who can relate and give a valuable perspective. The judgy fight-picking name-callers (actually i think it's only one person doing this) should be ignored due to lack of credibility.
I love you PP with the JCC mom, the Muslim babysitter, and the "I don't care." LOVE.

[Anonymous]

She doesn't care, but most of the families at these Catholic schools do care. That's why they are there.

If they really wanted "Diversity" they could get that a their local public school.

You may be, "open to learning about all religions it is nothing more than something different and interesting". But the Catholic School isn't, especially at the elementary school level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are mixed jewish/Christian/muslim AA and sent our son to Catholic schools because he loves the sports culture. He's a good student but a wonderful athlete. A prestigious Catholic school offered him a scholarship to attend for HS. He loves it there. If its a good fit go for it!

Catholic schools aren't allowed to give out athletic scholarships.

He didn't get financial aid because of sports; although they didn't expressly say why their aid offer was so good I think it is because he is "diverse", a really good student academically, and did a lot for his previous (Catholic) school ( he recruited several minority families from club sports team, whose kids are doing well). He is a leader and an all around good kid. I know aid is need based, but the interpretation of need his somewhat subjective, and if a private HS wants your kid, they tend to be more generous.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure the basis for the PP saying Catholic schools aren't allowed to give athletic scholarships. That may be true, I'm just wondering what the authority is.
If it's part of the rules governing the parochial (parish-based) schools, they wouldn't apply to schools run by orders (e.g., the Jesuits) or independent Catholic schools (rarer, but they do exist). A lot of the Catholic high schools are order-based, not parochial. And the Jesuit schools tend to have very strong sports -- but I don't know the Jesuit rules regarding scholarship aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Non-Catholics and even non-Christians appear to be interested in Catholic schools because of the price, the environment, etc.

But they really don't understand why these schools exist, who runs them, who supports them and who goes there. They are clueless as to the extent to which Catholic religion and culture is baked into the whole experience there.

The idea is that they can manage the impacts of a single religion class and an occasional Mass.

But because it seems too good to be true they show up here asking if there are other things about the experience they ought to know about. They, of course, get little real information here.

The Catholic Church isn't just another Protestant sect. The purpose of these schools is to impart the teachings of the Church and to build the Catholic community. It is not to give non-Catholics an attractive alternative to the Public schools or a low cost one to other privates.

Of course there purpose is to provide a faith-based education to Catholic children, but that doesn't mean a non-Catholic child will not be accepted and treated well. I have had several children attend Catholic elementary and HS in this area, and I know the Catholic community very well. Just like Jewish parents, they prefer their children to marry someone within their own faith. Big deal. Our family is not religious, but we share many of the same values: family, community, respect for everyone regardless of appearance, ability/disability, and I must say a love of sports. What I like about Catholic schools is that they don't make kids who have academic issues, feel like they lack value as human beings. Parents at some of the the waspy schools in this area act like a B or C student is a complete failure without considering the endearing traits that make the kid special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Non-Catholics and even non-Christians appear to be interested in Catholic schools because of the price, the environment, etc.

But they really don't understand why these schools exist, who runs them, who supports them and who goes there. They are clueless as to the extent to which Catholic religion and culture is baked into the whole experience there.

The idea is that they can manage the impacts of a single religion class and an occasional Mass.

But because it seems too good to be true they show up here asking if there are other things about the experience they ought to know about. They, of course, get little real information here.

The Catholic Church isn't just another Protestant sect. The purpose of these schools is to impart the teachings of the Church and to build the Catholic community. It is not to give non-Catholics an attractive alternative to the Public schools or a low cost one to other privates.

Of course there purpose is to provide a faith-based education to Catholic children, but that doesn't mean a non-Catholic child will not be accepted and treated well. I have had several children attend Catholic elementary and HS in this area, and I know the Catholic community very well. Just like Jewish parents, they prefer their children to marry someone within their own faith. Big deal. Our family is not religious, but we share many of the same values: family, community, respect for everyone regardless of appearance, ability/disability, and I must say a love of sports. What I like about Catholic schools is that they don't make kids who have academic issues, feel like they lack value as human beings. Parents at some of the the waspy schools in this area act like a B or C student is a complete failure without considering the endearing traits that make the kid special.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that the OP's kid would be mistreated. What they are saying is that Catholic education weaves its religion very deeply into its schooling. That might make someone who isn't even Christian feel uncomfortable.

Think of a Catholic school more like a Christian bible school, in that the religion is very much the point of the school in general.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure the basis for the PP saying Catholic schools aren't allowed to give athletic scholarships. That may be true, I'm just wondering what the authority is.
If it's part of the rules governing the parochial (parish-based) schools, they wouldn't apply to schools run by orders (e.g., the Jesuits) or independent Catholic schools (rarer, but they do exist). A lot of the Catholic high schools are order-based, not parochial. And the Jesuit schools tend to have very strong sports -- but I don't know the Jesuit rules regarding scholarship aid.

The basis for this is the Conference rules (The WCAC or IAC). The member schools agree there will be no athletic scholarships, etc.

What there is, of course, is general financial aid. But no athletic scholarships per se.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the religious education in those schools is very light. They have a school wide mass about once a month.

They will learn about stories in the bible. He bible is one of the most read pieces of literature and it would help with basic knowledge since many things she will read will have religious references.

Patience of job
Turn to salt
Prodigal son
Kiss of deal
Thirty pieces of silver
Parting of the sea

I would just treat it like another literature class.

I assume you don't have a child in Catholic school, since this is incorrect, by far.
I can't imagine having a non Christian in a Catholic school, the Catholic faith and teachings are woven into every lesson, every day, with prayers in the morning, at lunch, crucifixes everywhere and weekly mass, plus all the Sacraments with tons of prep when they are older.
It's not a little Catholic lesson here and there, it's the entire curriculum of the school.
I would really think hard and understand what you are getting into before putting a child that is not even Christian into a Catholic school

Yes. I have a child in catholic school and I am not religious. I also have friends of all religions and I don't really care about symbols of their religion. I think because I am open to learning about all religions it is nothing more than something different and interesting.

My kids baby sitter was Muslim and they did all sort of things like I don't do or understand, like going to a certain corner of a room when they entered the house. They sang all kinds of songs in a language I don't know, they could have been praying too... Why would I care?

Religious teachings, traditions and symbols don't bother or scare me. My mom retired from the JCC and sings Shabbat shalom every Friday she is over to my kids, even though she and we are not Jewish.

I also don't care if a football coach prays or they say the pledge of allegiance.

Who cares, lighten up.

Yikes. I don't believe you for one second that you wrote both those posts.

You can't believe that I am not religious, send my child to catholic school, had a Muslim babysitter and my mom worked at the JCC ?

I don't believe that you have a child in Catholic elementary school and believe the religous part is just one class that can be compared to a literature class.
Or if you do you are the worlds most uninvolved parent who just drops off and picks up and hasn't a clue about what actually goes on.

NP here. I believe you PP. although I could care less if you are lying or not - because all of your points were spot on in my opinion. Gotta love these folks who *need* to pick a fight and say some crazy ass bs ("the world's most uninvolved parent"??? REALLY?).
Anyway if the OP is thinking about Catholic school for her non-Christian child you are probably someone who can relate and give a valuable perspective. The judgy fight-picking name-callers (actually i think it's only one person doing this) should be ignored due to lack of credibility.
I love you PP with the JCC mom, the Muslim babysitter, and the "I don't care." LOVE.

You're missing the point. It's not about whether being exposed to multiple religions is good or bad or the "I don't care about anyone religion" angle, which is a very positive and admirable way to be. However, extrapolating from there that Catholic elementary school is nothing more than private school with some Catholic literature read is completely wrong. And to say that you have a child in a Catholic school and that is your understanding of what the religion part of the education is, well, it means you are either lying or are completely uninvolved.
Sorry if that offends you, but on an anonymous forum you have people saying all sorts of things and that is just not true. Op seems sincere in her question and lack of knowledge about what Catholic school is, and leaving her with the impression that the religous part is like art class a couple times a week is cruel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are mixed jewish/Christian/muslim AA and sent our son to Catholic schools because he loves the sports culture. He's a good student but a wonderful athlete. A prestigious Catholic school offered him a scholarship to attend for HS. He loves it there. If its a good fit go for it!

Catholic schools aren't allowed to give out athletic scholarships.

Busted!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the religious education in those schools is very light. They have a school wide mass about once a month.

They will learn about stories in the bible. He bible is one of the most read pieces of literature and it would help with basic knowledge since many things she will read will have religious references.

Patience of job
Turn to salt
Prodigal son
Kiss of deal
Thirty pieces of silver
Parting of the sea

I would just treat it like another literature class.

Can you say what school this is? None of these things are even remotely part of the standards for religious education in the Archdiocese of Washington (and I would assume the neighboring dioceses are not much different.) There is no way students could come close to passing the Faith Knowledge Assessments by merely learning bible stories as literature. I have a middle schooler learning about synods and ecumenical councils having already covered topics from Old and New Testaments, lives of the saints, all aspects of the Mass and sacramental prep for First Communion and Reconciliation. The Catholic school your child attends is no where near where they should be as far as religious education goes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the religious education in those schools is very light. They have a school wide mass about once a month.

They will learn about stories in the bible. He bible is one of the most read pieces of literature and it would help with basic knowledge since many things she will read will have religious references.

Patience of job
Turn to salt
Prodigal son
Kiss of deal
Thirty pieces of silver
Parting of the sea

I would just treat it like another literature class.

Can you say what school this is? None of these things are even remotely part of the standards for religious education in the Archdiocese of Washington (and I would assume the neighboring dioceses are not much different.) There is no way students could come close to passing the Faith Knowledge Assessments by merely learning bible stories as literature. I have a middle schooler learning about synods and ecumenical councils having already covered topics from Old and New Testaments, lives of the saints, all aspects of the Mass and sacramental prep for First Communion and Reconciliation. The Catholic school your child attends is no where near where they should be as far as religious education goes.

My impression was that poster does not have a child in Catholic elementary school. The first sentence "I think"... meant to me that it was a poster just guessing that had no idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the religious education in those schools is very light. They have a school wide mass about once a month.

They will learn about stories in the bible. He bible is one of the most read pieces of literature and it would help with basic knowledge since many things she will read will have religious references.

Patience of job
Turn to salt
Prodigal son
Kiss of deal
Thirty pieces of silver
Parting of the sea

I would just treat it like another literature class.

Can you say what school this is? None of these things are even remotely part of the standards for religious education in the Archdiocese of Washington (and I would assume the neighboring dioceses are not much different.) There is no way students could come close to passing the Faith Knowledge Assessments by merely learning bible stories as literature. I have a middle schooler learning about synods and ecumenical councils having already covered topics from Old and New Testaments, lives of the saints, all aspects of the Mass and sacramental prep for First Communion and Reconciliation. The Catholic school your child attends is no where near where they should be as far as religious education goes.

Not only do these people have no idea what is being taught to the entire class, they are also completely tone deaf (even disinterested) in how this borrowing of the Catholic schools for their own purposes comes across to the great Catholic majority.

The schools let some of these kids in because they have the space and because they can use the money. But not so many as to change the character of the school. But we are not stupid. We know why you are here and we know its not why we send our kids to these Catholic schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are mixed jewish/Christian/muslim AA and sent our son to Catholic schools because he loves the sports culture. He's a good student but a wonderful athlete. A prestigious Catholic school offered him a scholarship to attend for HS. He loves it there. If its a good fit go for it!

Catholic schools aren't allowed to give out athletic scholarships.

Ha! She said AA and athletic so you assumed it was an athletic scholarship. Sad!

[Anonymous]

Of course I am aware of my child's classes.

In religion he just memorized the 10 commandments and discussed: charity, modesty, self-control, patience, humility, etc.

He picked a saint to read about, he loves animals so he picked Francis... I "think" because it did not make such a huge impact on my life that I totally remember every assignment he does.

In history they did learn that Catholics founded Maryland. I guess they do weave catholic teaching his through their curriculum... Shudder.except the US was founded on religious freedom so in reality it is more about a constitutional right.

The 8the grade class is learning about Confirmation. My son does not care he is not going to be Confirmed. He has been to 1 Confirmation, no big deal. He has been to 7 bar mitzvahs due to friends from sports teams/neighborhood. He has also been to a quinceanera.

I do not feel "alone" in this at all. Many people are married to non-Catholics. So even if the kids are catholic often 1 parent is not.