Catholic School Question

[hpygrll]

I have to ask...WHY if you're not Catholic would you send your child to Catholic school?? I went to Catholic school from 4th to 8th as did my brother and sister and it was the same school attended by my mom and her siblings.

I know there is a waiting list for some schools and I have to say that if I was a member of the church affiliated with the school and my child couldn't get a spot because a non member was occupying it I would be upset.

Why choose a Catholic school if you're not Catholic?

And if you think that the school has more to offer your child and that is why you're sending him then why not become Catholic?

Good question - number one - we're Lutheran - or Catholic lite as we like to call it. Our public schools are horrible - the Catholic schools are very good. We don't take spots away from those in the parrish as parishioners have first dibs for the school - we are the very last to get in if there are spots left. Just so happens there usually are spots left.

We just want a good value centered education with parents and teachers who truly want to be there and have a great deal of involvement with the school. Doesn't mean I have to become Catholic to appreciate and value all of what a Catholic school offers.

Jenny

 

[Christine]

I have to ask...WHY if you're not Catholic would you send your child to Catholic school?? I went to Catholic school from 4th to 8th as did my brother and sister and it was the same school attended by my mom and her siblings.

I know there is a waiting list for some schools and I have to say that if I was a member of the church affiliated with the school and my child couldn't get a spot because a non member was occupying it I would be upset.

Why choose a Catholic school if you're not Catholic?

And if you think that the school has more to offer your child and that is why you're sending him then why not become Catholic?

Why not?????

We are not Catholic, but we are Christian (as are Catholics) and I like the religion that is mixed in with the regular school day. I have no desire to "become" a Catholic (convert) but that doesn't mean that we aren't "okay" with what goes on during the day.

We do not take spots from parishoners. If there is a waiting list, the parishoners get first priority. If there are openings then it is open to anyone else.

 

[Teacher03]

Teacher at a Catholic school. This is exactly what we do w/the non-Catholic students. They learn about the sacraments but don't participate in receiving them.

In order to receive the sacrament, you need to be baptized into the Catholic church.

Same here.

 

[Patricia]

Making the decision to send your kids to a catholic school is certainly a personal one, and in general we can't assume that one person's reasons connect to another one. However, most of the the non-catholics in our school are there because they are committed to bringing the values and the faith into all parts of the school day. It is just that simple.Having taught in public school for 11 years before I made the switch to a catholic school, I can tell you it is a unique experience for sure. In religion class, we are able to really give the kids some tools that are connected to God for the challenges they are going to face in HS. Most of the non-catholics are Christians so there really isn't much of a difference, but I have had two Muslims and a Buddist as well. Living less than 30 miles from Ground Zero, having the opportunity to show the kids the real teachings of the Muslim faith was critical. We also have quite a few students whose parents are catholic and jewish. That makes the Old Testament a joy as they watch the true connections between their faith come alilve. I know I sound dorky about it, but I have to say I learn as much as the kids, probably more!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I have to ask...WHY if you're not Catholic would you send your child to Catholic school?? I went to Catholic school from 4th to 8th as did my brother and sister and it was the same school attended by my mom and her siblings.

I know there is a waiting list for some schools and I have to say that if I was a member of the church affiliated with the school and my child couldn't get a spot because a non member was occupying it I would be upset.

Why choose a Catholic school if you're not Catholic?

And if you think that the school has more to offer your child and that is why you're sending him then why not become Catholic?

My son attends a Catholic high school.(10th grade) We're Christian, but not Catholic.

He's there only because I waited to long to get him transferred to a good public school. Since I didn't make the decision to move him until June, I would not have had a say in which high school he moved to. The district would have placed him where ever there was room.

Had I made the choice to move my son after 8th grade he would be enrolled in a public school that's head and shoulders ahead of the Catholic school he attends.

The high school I attended (public) currently offers 19 AP classes. My son's school only offers 2. Some of the worst high schools manage to offer at least 5-7 AP classes.

The vast majority of Catholic schools in the area can't compete with the top public schools. Sadly these schools can only accept so many students.

Getting a child into a top notch public school here is worst than applying to college. (Applications, letters of recommendation, interviews, testing, auditions..)This is at all levels, elementary, middle school and high school.

As far as non-Catholic taking seats, if it wasn't for us, many Catholic schools in the area would be closed.

Most people I know who placed their children in Catholic schools, did so because they could not get them into the great public schools. Rather than send them to mediocre or awful public schools, they enrolled them in Catholic school.

 

[Cool-Beans]

At the school I went to, and at the school my kids went to, the non-Catholic kids studied Religion in Religion class just like they studied Math in Math class. They had to memorize the same prayers, like they had to memorize the same math facts. They all went to church once a week, as a group.

So, the non-Catholics studied all about making your First Confession (now, Reconciliation), First Communion and Confirmation. If the kid wasn't Catholic, they just didn't actually go do it.

Have you looked into Lutheran schools? We have a lot of them around here!

 

[Daxx]

I have to ask...WHY if you're not Catholic would you send your child to Catholic school??

Why choose a Catholic school if you're not Catholic?

And if you think that the school has more to offer your child and that is why you're sending him then why not become Catholic?

Catholic school teacher here. Working in a low-economic community where good schools are few and far between.

OK -- let me start off by saying that the area I teach in (inner city), many (not all!) of the public schools are not that great. The charter schools are becoming no better and aren't the "great white hope" that everyone thought they'd be. One school has already lost its charter for poor results and another is in trouble due to poor behavioral situations. Some schools wait-list you (the better public schools and the Charters) and many people turn to Catholic schools as an option. As I stated, the neighborhood that my school is located in is economically poor. Many families are working 2 jobs to send their kids to Catholic school b/c they know it's a better environment for their children, that their children are disciplined for improper actions, are taught respect, morals and ethics. Kids who come to our school are not in fear of being beaten up, bullied, etc. Any signs of bullying are nipped immediately in the bud and, if behavior continues, are shown the door. As far as improper behavior goes, students are asked to leave based on their actions. Some of the local schools in my area can tend to be a "free for all" (again, depending on the neighborhood).

Why NOT choose a Catholic school if you're not Catholic? If someone feels their child is going to get a better education at a school that's not of their religious persuasion, why NOT send them there!?!? You don't have to follow the beliefs to get a good education!!! If you want a school that offers a better education, teaches morals, ethics, offers discipline and zero tolerance, what difference does it make what religion you practice or what religion the school supports?! In my school, we have Scientologists, Muslims, Hindus, Lutherans, to name a few! We have such an amazingly diverse ethnic and religious background in our school. If I felt my child would get a better education at a Muslim school, I'd send him there. Apparently, parents seek the best education for their child and will send them where ever they have to in order to achieve that.

Why should ANYONE have to change their religion/beliefs in order to give their child a good education!?!?!? As it stands, I'd say a good portion of the students in our school who are Catholic don't bother to attend Sunday mass. So, rightfully, that doesn't make them "good" Catholics. Maybe they should be asked to leave b/c they're not "true" Catholics!??!!? What if your public school asked you to stop practicing your religion b/c it was a public school?! Who cares what religion someone practices outside of school!

The Catholic schools do not hide the fact that they're teaching religion. Parents who send their kids to a Catholic school (at least mine) know up front that their children will learn religion, will attend mass and will participate in various religious activities (ie: singing hymns for the retired nuns at a retirement home). If a parent doesn't like that idea then either they can (a) choose not to send their child to the school or (b) tell their child that they will need to participate but do not have to believe. It's amazing how many children of other religious persuasions have no problem learning about other religions and being open to new things. In the upper levels, it's great discussion material when a student does question things if they're of another religion. When I taught upper level, we'd have some great discussions re. different beliefs. It's amazing how much more children learn due to others having different beliefs ... and how nobody criticizes anyone else for what they do/don't believe in.

A Catholic school (or any religiously affiliated school) who ONLY allows students of that religious persuasion to attend will find their school doors closed due to lack of students. If we only allowed "serious" Catholics (those who attend church weekly) to attend our school, we'd have been closed maaaany years ago!

Many "Catholics" have started "going through the motions" -- they get their child baptised and do nothing until they realize that 2nd grade has come around and their child needs to make their first reconciliation so they can move on to their first Communion. The amount of kids in the 2nd grade religious ed classes is astouding. Those 2nd graders continue the religious ed til 3rd grade when they make their first Communion. After that, you'd be shocked at how many kids stop coming to religious ed. Parents are after the sacraments mainly b/c their parents expect it don't care about attending church or continuing their education in the Catholic faith. So, if we accept only "true Catholics", then we're doing ourselves and our community a big disservice.

 

[Daxx]

The vast majority of Catholic schools in the area can't compete with the top public schools. Sadly these schools can only accept so many students.

Getting a child into a top notch public school here is worst than applying to college. (Applications, letters of recommendation, interviews, testing, auditions..)This is at all levels, elementary, middle school and high school.

Where I live it is the reverse!!! Getting your child into a top-notch Catholic high school or private school is worse than applying for college! In the city, there are some good public vocational schools, a public performing arts school, a public Honors school a few good privates (non-religious) that require testing, recommendations, etc.

As for the other public schools (in my suburb and in the city), you just enroll and you go. They could care less about your GPA, your behavior, your past, etc. I could send my child to the local high school w/o a hitch or a test. To send him to Catholic and private high schools, he'd have applications, letters of recommendation, interviews and testing to go through. Which, is fine w/me b/c they'll offer him a better education, more honors classes and extra-curricular activities than the public schools.

 

[Daxx]

Some priests will accept a non-Catholic baptisms (mine would) but if you are going to receive sacraments you have to commit yourself to Catholicism. I started taking communion for example after having started adult religion classes.

Interesting!! In our church, you have to be re-baptized. That's generally if you're young (like teen and younger). Otherwise, you have to go through RCIA (Right of Christian Initiation for Adults) in order to receive all of your sacraments. You start RCIA and are baptised. Then, you continue the RCIA program and receive reconciliation, you keep on the program and receive communion and confirmation at the end. I was the RCIA sponsor for a family member and that's how they ran it here.

 

[auntpolly]

Interesting!! In our church, you have to be re-baptized. That's generally if you're young (like teen and younger). Otherwise, you have to go through RCIA (Right of Christian Initiation for Adults) in order to receive all of your sacraments. You start RCIA and are baptised. Then, you continue the RCIA program and receive reconciliation, you keep on the program and receive communion and confirmation at the end. I was the RCIA sponsor for a family member and that's how they ran it here.

I didn RDIA classes and the priest told me my original protestant baptism was recognized by the Church. Then when I moved and was getting married I'd already been receiving communion but before the wedding the priest asked me if I wanted to be baptized as a Catholic. I said, I thought I was good to go with the original one, and he said yes, that was true, but he really wanted to do another so I thought, "what the hey" and let him.

 

[hpygrll]

At the school I went to, and at the school my kids went to, the non-Catholic kids studied Religion in Religion class just like they studied Math in Math class. They had to memorize the same prayers, like they had to memorize the same math facts. They all went to church once a week, as a group.

So, the non-Catholics studied all about making your First Confession (now, Reconciliation), First Communion and Confirmation. If the kid wasn't Catholic, they just didn't actually go do it.

Have you looked into Lutheran schools? We have a lot of them around here!

Not really any Lutheran schools here...our Catholic schools have a great reputation.

 

[Patricia]

In our area, there are some excellent public HS's as well as excellent Catholic high schools. It's a great area as far as schools go. But the public schools are purely by what town you live in. With very few exceptions, you have to live in the township to be allowed in the school with no entrance requirements. Catholic schools require a test for entrance, as a matter of fact, my 8th graders took the test on Saturday. Now we all sit and wait until January for the answers.

 

[Hedy]

I have to ask...WHY if you're not Catholic would you send your child to Catholic school?? I went to Catholic school from 4th to 8th as did my brother and sister and it was the same school attended by my mom and her siblings.

I know there is a waiting list for some schools and I have to say that if I was a member of the church affiliated with the school and my child couldn't get a spot because a non member was occupying it I would be upset.

Why choose a Catholic school if you're not Catholic?

And if you think that the school has more to offer your child and that is why you're sending him then why not become Catholic?

I never encountered non-Catholics who had gone to Catholic schools until I went to college....I get why parents do it, but I still think it's not a choice I'd make for my child... "Hi, you're going to be educated in what we don't believe in because we think it's best for you...but don't forget...we don't really think that's Jesus' body..." Seems unfair all around, if you ask me.

 

[smartestnumber5]

I'm glad to hear--as many of you have posted--that the Catholic schools you teach at or your kids attend incorporate the different beliefs of non-Catholic students into religion class. I attended Catholic school until 7th grade, and I don't remember a single instance in which it seemed non-Catholic students were invited to share their faith's perspective on things. Of course, maybe we were still a little bit young for that, but I used to wonder what it was like for non-Catholic kids given that in religion class we were taught Catholicism = truth ...period. I know in 7th grade we started learning about other religions and we're never told that they were wrong--just that Catholicism was more correct in some sense.

 

[Sinderelli]

Where I live it is the reverse!!! Getting your child into a top-notch Catholic high school or private school is worse than applying for college! In the city, there are some good public vocational schools, a public performing arts school, a public Honors school a few good privates (non-religious) that require testing, recommendations, etc.

As for the other public schools (in my suburb and in the city), you just enroll and you go. They could care less about your GPA, your behavior, your past, etc. I could send my child to the local high school w/o a hitch or a test. To send him to Catholic and private high schools, he'd have applications, letters of recommendation, interviews and testing to go through. Which, is fine w/me b/c they'll offer him a better education, more honors classes and extra-curricular activities than the public schools.

This is the same situation in New Orleans. We also have a very active and desirable independent school association (private, episcopalian). Many parents in this area send their kids to Catholic schools because most of the public schools are terrible and the tuition is reasonable. Children of all faiths are welcome- after all, Jesus did say, "Let the children come to me" not "Let the children who meet certain criteria come to me."

 

[Deb in IA]

We are Episcopalian, and our kids have attended Catholic school since kindergarten. We chose this school for several reasons: 1) Strong academics, 2) Strong family values and emphasis on community service, and 3) We are enrolling from out-of-district, and the public schools have very strict outside enrollment policies.

In our school, all the kids participate in Religion class, which continues all the way through high school. At least our daughter, now a sophomore, is still taking Religion.

Our son, who is in 6th grade, is studying the Rosary . . . and yes, even as a non-Catholic, he is expected to learn it and take the test.

The kids have participated in all the services, Masses, and Retreats. Our daughter is serving as a RTL (Retreat Team Leader). They do not receive Communion, or any of the other Sacraments, I suppose, but they participate in just about everything else.