Catholic school but not Catholic? How to address this with school when applying?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Before Amy blocks me again, let me say this really shouldn’t be an issue at all. I think you’ll gain admittance easily in the middle school and you’ll be able to tell if your child continues to thrive. What you’re saying you’d be happy to do is far less that we would commit to in the interview, and we received an offer.

Our situation was that we left when we had an option that was certainly a better fit. But I think your rationale for prioritizing Catholic makes sense. This particular school was very heavy handed particularly on the minutiae of lesser importance, like the homework on saints (not for the squeamish) and I couldn’t imagine saddling our DC with so many hours of non academic work.

The other thing that gave us pause is that apparently by school’s own counsel, by the time of high school, the peer group really narrowed to be almost exclusively Catholic and Catholic schools. That’s very different from the other DC private schools. But I’ve noticed that the advice was right and these two worlds of teenagers really don’t interact too much.

After you get an offer, ask to see the curriculum and homework assignments, and check the time commitment and the timings of it (if your child plays outside sports) and see if justifiable.

I think it’s a great option for the fees but it’s worth knowing fully what you’re signing up for, and probably not necessary to overpromise at the interview to gain admission.

The Catholic school is Catholic School.

If you want your kid to learn that religion then send them if not then don't.

Yes some schools are less rigorous in academics some are more conservative religiously. Either way still Catholic school still teaching Catholic religion.


If you not Catholic there is rarely a reason to put your kid in a Catholic school.

[Anonymous]

My daughter attends a Catholic HS which offers transportation to the march for life. They attend a mass, not the actual march. This is 100% optional and many students do not attend. Her elementary school also offered this for 8th graders only...again as an optional outing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before Amy blocks me again, let me say this really shouldn’t be an issue at all. I think you’ll gain admittance easily in the middle school and you’ll be able to tell if your child continues to thrive. What you’re saying you’d be happy to do is far less that we would commit to in the interview, and we received an offer.

Our situation was that we left when we had an option that was certainly a better fit. But I think your rationale for prioritizing Catholic makes sense. This particular school was very heavy handed particularly on the minutiae of lesser importance, like the homework on saints (not for the squeamish) and I couldn’t imagine saddling our DC with so many hours of non academic work.

The other thing that gave us pause is that apparently by school’s own counsel, by the time of high school, the peer group really narrowed to be almost exclusively Catholic and Catholic schools. That’s very different from the other DC private schools. But I’ve noticed that the advice was right and these two worlds of teenagers really don’t interact too much.

After you get an offer, ask to see the curriculum and homework assignments, and check the time commitment and the timings of it (if your child plays outside sports) and see if justifiable.

I think it’s a great option for the fees but it’s worth knowing fully what you’re signing up for, and probably not necessary to overpromise at the interview to gain admission.

The Catholic school is Catholic School.

If you want your kid to learn that religion then send them if not then don't.

Yes some schools are less rigorous in academics some are more conservative religiously. Either way still Catholic school still teaching Catholic religion.


If you not Catholic there is rarely a reason to put your kid in a Catholic school.

Oh, there's a reason, alright.

Catholic schools are not the public schools. That's reason #1.

Other non-Catholics treat see them as budget-friendly private schools.

Catholics send their kids to Catholic schools because they are Catholic. Non-Catholics hold their noses and send their kids to them in spite of their being Catholic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did this for middle as our public middle isn’t good. At the interview we just said we liked the academics, clubs, warm welcoming atmosphere and their student volunteer program.

Our child has not been bought up with a faith and while he loves some aspects of the school, he finds the Catholic doctrine too overbearing and and intolerant. He does not want to stay on for high school so he is switching to public. I regret sending him there as he is sad to leave his friends but can’t take 4 more years at a religious school.

I taught at a Catholic HS for a long time, and this happened sometimes. Also happened that a student might leave our school in the middle of the year, for the reason you stated plus just the desire to experience public school life. But much more frequently than not, the student found that switching from a familiar school/social setting, and also being away from friends, is very difficult, and applied to come to/come back to our school within a quarter or semester of leaving. If the student was lucky, there was an opening in their grade level...sometimes, sadly, we were impacted. Overwhelmingly, if they are able to return, the student settles in happily for the rest of their high school years.

Just FYI.

[Anonymous]

Why do you want your child to go to a Catholic school if you’re not Catholic?

[Anonymous]

Only read the first few posts in this thread.

Many prefer Catholic elementary schools for the high value placed on education, respect for others, strictly enforced behavior rules, and--as illustrated below--great motivational techniques.

There is an old joke about a boy who was struggling academically with math prior to attending a Catholic elementary school. Within one semester the below average math student turned into a straight A student. When asked by his parents why he was doing so well, the boy responded that they are really serious about math at this school. The boy shared that he was afraid to get less than an A in math because you should see the guy that they nailed to a plus sign.

https://epiac1216.wordpress.com/2009/05/18/joke-guy-nailed-to-the-plus-sign/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Before Amy blocks me again, let me say this really shouldn’t be an issue at all. I think you’ll gain admittance easily in the middle school and you’ll be able to tell if your child continues to thrive. What you’re saying you’d be happy to do is far less that we would commit to in the interview, and we received an offer.

Our situation was that we left when we had an option that was certainly a better fit. But I think your rationale for prioritizing Catholic makes sense. This particular school was very heavy handed particularly on the minutiae of lesser importance, like the homework on saints (not for the squeamish) and I couldn’t imagine saddling our DC with so many hours of non academic work.

The other thing that gave us pause is that apparently by school’s own counsel, by the time of high school, the peer group really narrowed to be almost exclusively Catholic and Catholic schools. That’s very different from the other DC private schools. But I’ve noticed that the advice was right and these two worlds of teenagers really don’t interact too much.

After you get an offer, ask to see the curriculum and homework assignments, and check the time commitment and the timings of it (if your child plays outside sports) and see if justifiable.

I think it’s a great option for the fees but it’s worth knowing fully what you’re signing up for, and probably not necessary to overpromise at the interview to gain admission.

The Catholic school is Catholic School.

If you want your kid to learn that religion then send them if not then don't.

Yes some schools are less rigorous in academics some are more conservative religiously. Either way still Catholic school still teaching Catholic religion.


If you not Catholic there is rarely a reason to put your kid in a Catholic school.

Oh, there's a reason, alright.

Catholic schools are not the public schools. That's reason #1.

Other non-Catholics treat see them as budget-friendly private schools.

Catholics send their kids to Catholic schools because they are Catholic. Non-Catholics hold their noses and send their kids to them in spite of their being Catholic.

What a creepy post.

[Anonymous]

Catholic Schools don’t advertise as “the Schools for the Catholics”. Quite the opposite. Also, the inner city schools which is where they are most needed and fill a true gap in line with the Catholic teachings are majority non Catholic. On this thread the tune changed only when people exposed just how Catholic vs academic the curricula of some of these schools were in reality.

The other answer is for a reduced tuition as an alternative to a public school. There’s a famous country song to the effect of was it worth what I had to do to get it? Parents need to make an informed choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you want your child to go to a Catholic school if you’re not Catholic?

Finally, someone has asked this question for the very first time ever

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you want your child to go to a Catholic school if you’re not Catholic?

Finally, someone has asked this question for the very first time ever

Actually, I think that you may be wrong. If I recall correctly, this same inquiry has been made before on multiple occasions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you want your child to go to a Catholic school if you’re not Catholic?

Finally, someone has asked this question for the very first time ever

Actually, I think that you may be wrong. If I recall correctly, this same inquiry has been made before on multiple occasions.

I think the schools would be appalled to hear you ask that. This for sure is not how they describe their mission. Therein lies the conundrum for a lay parent: what is said and what apparently the Catholics attending think are two very different worlds.

“ Catholic Schools don’t advertise as “the Schools for the Catholics”. Quite the opposite.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is there to address?

The Catholic religion is taught in these schools rightfully so. Not like it's not in the name.

Your kid will be taught their principals again rightfully so.

Not sure why this is a question OP by sending your kid you support the Catholic Church full stop.

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

NP. Not in the DC area. DC attends a rigorous Catholic HS that sends kids to exceptionally good colleges every year. We are atheists and disclosed that in the application.

It has been a tremendous experience. Education is top-notch. The religion classes have been a plus, not a negative, because they are taught with rigor as well, so they are essentially additional writing and reasoning courses. I also like the fact that the religion classes provide a structured format for discussing values. It is from a Catholic viewpoint, of course, but teens want to discuss morality and values, and religion class lets that discussion happen in a structured way. Respectful debate is encouraged. The other thing I like is the emphasis on service. Kids are expected to think about what they can do to help others. Finally I also liked the daily exposure to people of faith.

My kid is graduating with an outstanding education, and is still atheist. Would 100% do it again.

[Anonymous]

Jest aside, this was the entire argument I was making. And the other person below is not even my friends, don’t know who they are just like the most other posters. Yet that got me called a bigot, unhinged, obsessive and blocked several times. It’s ridiculous but amusing.


“It’s not bigotry, it’s an opinion by a family and friends that include Catholics. It wasn’t meant to offend but was meant to share a perspective. That perspective is yes you can get in as a non Catholic or a lapsed Catholic. But that’s not the only issue, it is also whether you should want to get in if this is not what you want for your child.

Children are very impressionable and I’d love the school to teach some tenets and values, but a lot of the stuff is not in fact central to the teachings of any church including the Catholic. The hours spent that way are not spent on the academic matters and STEM."

Well said. Thank you.

I agree with you 100%. It's not "bigotry".