With the economy in rough shape, the National Catholic Education Association recently asked the question, “Why send your child to a Catholic school in these difficult economic times?” Here are the top five answers from the Elementary Department’s Executive Committee:
- It’s all about value. Nowhere else can you get Catholic tradition and academic excellence in a caring community.
- While other schools may be cutting programs, Catholic schools do not sacrifice art, music and sports programs.
- Our technology is often more advanced than in surrounding schools.
- We have a higher graduation rate. Our students are well prepared for high school and college.
- Our students are treated like individuals and helped to reach their highest potential.
Is it just me, or do some of those seem dubious and a bit on the lackluster side? Here are five I would suggest:
- In these tough times, we need to be reminded that this life is only the beginning; Catholic schools prepare students for eternity, and not just the here and now.
- Our neighbors are in trouble and need help; Catholic schools teach service and social justice better than any other educational institution on the planet.
- We got into this economic mess through greed and materialism; Catholic schools teach moral values without compromise.
- To get out of this mess and avoid it in the future, we need strong leaders who are not afraid to speak the truth; Catholic schools teach Jesus Christ, the most courageous speaker of truth the world has ever known–the Son of God Himself.
- Finally, in difficult times like these, it is easy and tempting to play the blame game, to step on others to get ahead; Catholic schools remind their students that we are brothers and sisters, that we all belong to the same family. The hallmark of any Catholic school is its sense of community spirit, united by belief in one God who is constantly forming us into His body.
There has never been a more urgent need for Catholic schools. There has never been a more critical time to enroll a child in a Catholic school. Yes it costs money; yes we’re already paying taxes to support a public school system. Yes, many people have lost jobs and are already stretched to the breaking point.
In response, schools and systems around the country are freezing tuition: Resurrection High School, Notre Dame High School, St. Thomas More High School, Unified Catholic Schools of the Pike’s Peak Region, to name a few. Many schools offer a “fair share” program where parents who cannot afford the full tuition pay what they can, or pay on a graduated scale.
Now more than ever we need Catholic education. Catholic schools offer what our world needs most right now: hope in a future that lasts eternally.
Excellent points.
Can I borrow your points for our parish bulletin to promote our elementary school?
Please feel free to use them. Thanks for asking. If you have room, I would appreciate it if you mentioned the site’s address (www.catholicschoolchronicle.com would be fine), but it’s not a necessity.
Amen to your comment about NCEA…
Your reasons are much more powerful, and if Catholic schools are to serve us for the next 100 years, we’ll need to keep calling people back to our mission in compelling ways.
I’m very greatful for this. thanks to all who have shared I have gained a lot in my research on Catholic Schools.
God bless you.
With the attendance numbers decreasing, but the urgent need to strengthen the faith in our kids increasing in this anti-moral environment that we have all around us, we should do all we can to promote Catholic ed. Thanks for doing that!