The Catholic School Difference -- WSJ Article

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate to break it to US "liberals", but most European countries give choices to parents, including sending their kids to Catholics schools for free (basically), as long as said schools commit to national curricula and common admission systems.

#wise

Would you support this if madrasas were included in the choice?

[Anonymous]

I am not Catholic and don’t believe in many of the religion’s tenets. Had you told me two years ago that I would eventually put my children in Catholic school, I would have looked at you like you had two heads. But that is just what I did.

The difference between our local FCPS school and our Catholic schools would be comical if it weren’t so sad. The kids are taught respect, good character, and studiousness. They aren’t perfect, and there are still disruptions. But man, I thank my lucky stars every single day that my kids are where they are, surrounded by people who care about them and other students who, in general, are trying their best academically and personally.

[Anonymous]

Public school administrators do not care. They're there for paychecks and to not rock the boat, keeping their stress low and $ and performance bonuses coming in, so they can job hop to higher paying opportunities.

Once you suspend the notion they care about teachers, kids or the community, you boil down just a job with people operating with selfish greedy me-first dynamics. There's zero altruism or compassion involved in public schools administration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not Catholic and don’t believe in many of the religion’s tenets. Had you told me two years ago that I would eventually put my children in Catholic school, I would have looked at you like you had two heads. But that is just what I did.

The difference between our local FCPS school and our Catholic schools would be comical if it weren’t so sad. The kids are taught respect, good character, and studiousness. They aren’t perfect, and there are still disruptions. But man, I thank my lucky stars every single day that my kids are where they are, surrounded by people who care about them and other students who, in general, are trying their best academically and personally.

+1. I am exactly like you! I agree 100%. DH was raised Catholic and it meant a lot to him so we looked into it. The other aspect that dragged me (kicking and screaming) to Catholic school was the emphasis on community service and social responsibility. And the whole "If you want peace - work for justice" motto.

[Anonymous]

Good article and study. Thanks OP. I was born and raised Catholic going to catholic school all my life and my kids will attend catholic school as well. This study more succinctly makes my point when trying to explain things to other people.

I've noticed a lot of parents these days focus on test scores and the regular tests that measure a child's cognitive ability. While that's great, if little Johnny is a genius but is a total a-hole then the kid will likely have big problems later in life. This study mentions the "non-cognitive" learning (for the lack of a better term) and I agree and think it's just as important.

[Anonymous]

^To add, I've noticed a lack of focus for parents in "non cognitive" learning amongst kids these days. It's the "As long as my kid gets straight A's they're doing great" mentality. I'd much rather my child be a B student but have higher "non-cognitive" learning abilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to break it to US "liberals", but most European countries give choices to parents, including sending their kids to Catholics schools for free (basically), as long as said schools commit to national curricula and common admission systems.

#wise

Would you support this if madrasas were included in the choice?

And Islamic Fundamental schools would absolutely have to be included in this equation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Public school administrators do not care. They're there for paychecks and to not rock the boat, keeping their stress low and $ and performance bonuses coming in, so they can job hop to higher paying opportunities.

Once you suspend the notion they care about teachers, kids or the community, you boil down just a job with people operating with selfish greedy me-first dynamics. There's zero altruism or compassion involved in public schools administration.

so true. would never compete in private sector or if held accountable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not Catholic and don’t believe in many of the religion’s tenets. Had you told me two years ago that I would eventually put my children in Catholic school, I would have looked at you like you had two heads. But that is just what I did.

The difference between our local FCPS school and our Catholic schools would be comical if it weren’t so sad. The kids are taught respect, good character, and studiousness. They aren’t perfect, and there are still disruptions. But man, I thank my lucky stars every single day that my kids are where they are, surrounded by people who care about them and other students who, in general, are trying their best academically and personally.

+1. I am exactly like you! I agree 100%. DH was raised Catholic and it meant a lot to him so we looked into it. The other aspect that dragged me (kicking and screaming) to Catholic school was the emphasis on community service and social responsibility. And the whole "If you want peace - work for justice" motto.

+2. I had a hard time convincing DH to send our son to a Catholic private school but finally won. It is also the sense of community that I loved - which clearly doesn't exist in a private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Public school administrators do not care. They're there for paychecks and to not rock the boat, keeping their stress low and $ and performance bonuses coming in, so they can job hop to higher paying opportunities.

Once you suspend the notion they care about teachers, kids or the community, you boil down just a job with people operating with selfish greedy me-first dynamics. There's zero altruism or compassion involved in public schools administration.

so true. would never compete in private sector or if held accountable.

ok then, no public money for catholic schools. wouldn't want to corrupt their sense of community and accountability ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to break it to US "liberals", but most European countries give choices to parents, including sending their kids to Catholics schools for free (basically), as long as said schools commit to national curricula and common admission systems.

#wise

Would you support this if madrasas were included in the choice?

And Islamic Fundamental schools would absolutely have to be included in this equation.

Don’t know much about said schools but do they cover all the basics in addition to the religious instruction? If yes, no difference. If not, no dice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not Catholic and don’t believe in many of the religion’s tenets. Had you told me two years ago that I would eventually put my children in Catholic school, I would have looked at you like you had two heads. But that is just what I did.

The difference between our local FCPS school and our Catholic schools would be comical if it weren’t so sad. The kids are taught respect, good character, and studiousness. They aren’t perfect, and there are still disruptions. But man, I thank my lucky stars every single day that my kids are where they are, surrounded by people who care about them and other students who, in general, are trying their best academically and personally.

+1. I am exactly like you! I agree 100%. DH was raised Catholic and it meant a lot to him so we looked into it. The other aspect that dragged me (kicking and screaming) to Catholic school was the emphasis on community service and social responsibility. And the whole "If you want peace - work for justice" motto.

+2. I had a hard time convincing DH to send our son to a Catholic private school but finally won. It is also the sense of community that I loved - which clearly doesn't exist in a private school.

Which includes civics and the notion that the Constitution is the paramount law of the land and that religious freedom is fundamental.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not Catholic and don’t believe in many of the religion’s tenets. Had you told me two years ago that I would eventually put my children in Catholic school, I would have looked at you like you had two heads. But that is just what I did.

The difference between our local FCPS school and our Catholic schools would be comical if it weren’t so sad. The kids are taught respect, good character, and studiousness. They aren’t perfect, and there are still disruptions. But man, I thank my lucky stars every single day that my kids are where they are, surrounded by people who care about them and other students who, in general, are trying their best academically and personally.

+1. I am exactly like you! I agree 100%. DH was raised Catholic and it meant a lot to him so we looked into it. The other aspect that dragged me (kicking and screaming) to Catholic school was the emphasis on community service and social responsibility. And the whole "If you want peace - work for justice" motto.

+2. I had a hard time convincing DH to send our son to a Catholic private school but finally won. It is also the sense of community that I loved - which clearly doesn't exist in a private school.

Which includes civics and the notion that the Constitution is the paramount law of the land and that religious freedom is fundamental.

I attended Catholic schools all my life - both parochial and private - and the freedom from religion was always taught as well as religious freedom. My parents never expected to not pay school taxes for public schools we never used nor ever expected vouchers. And neither do I.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Catholic schools usually can't/won't support kids with IEPs, so they are not part of their population.

this is not true at St. Bart's. The Resource team is incredible and works with families to coordinate services through the county- either bussing a student to a county school like Wood acres or Bannockburn for therapies, or on-site w an MCPS itinerant resource reacher, or private therapists. They also work closely with the Titans Foundation to more effectively teach children w ADHD and other LDs.

Lourdes also has a great resource program, and has children w Down syndrome and on the spectrum

[Anonymous]

I'm so glad to live in Moco. The choices in Catholics are almost endless. We picked Mater Dei, Mercy, Prep and Holy Child. Soooo greatful!!