Double post

[deelam]

I am Catholic and send my kids to catholic school. One thing I like is that every Teacher takes such a personal interest in my Children's lives. It's like they are family. Plus the child is really taught respect and values. I really think you can see a differance in most children educated in Catholic school as opposed to public school.

There are non Catholics attending his school. Many non Catholics converted. I say if you are going to send your child to Catholic school. Expect a Catholic education. Expect your child to learn the Catholic religion. If you don't want that, find another school.

Here is a down fall--Most non Catholics will sit out on First Communion and confirmation. Then if the child decides he or she wants to be a catholic later on, they will have to go to classes, what we call RCIA. Why not let the non Catholic child become a Catholic by taking First communion and confirmation. What would it hurt? Then at least they would be a confirmed Catholic, if they desire to follow the faith. It would also help if they were to marry catholic.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We're definitely going to check it out. The thing that worries me is that DH talked about moving nearer to this school if we do choose to send our kids there.

If you did choose this, there really isn't any reason to move mainland. They have kids from all over south and central brevard (not sure of north). MCC has students from all over the county.

You can easily get to it within 15-20 minutes.

Though you can get more house for the money across the river.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It would also help if they were to marry catholic.

Catholics can marry non-catholics .

 

[BuckNaked]

Is this the norm? In schools with a larger non-Catholic clientele, do the schools generally allow for a more secular education of those non-Catholic students?

It's the norm in this diocese, but I can't speak for others. People that are intent on a secular education normally wouldn't send their kids to a religious school.

 

[Christine]

There are non Catholics attending his school. Many non Catholics converted. I say if you are going to send your child to Catholic school. Expect a Catholic education. Expect your child to learn the Catholic religion. If you don't want that, find another school.

Here is a down fall--Most non Catholics will sit out on First Communion and confirmation. Then if the child decides he or she wants to be a catholic later on, they will have to go to classes, what we call RCIA. Why not let the non Catholic child because a Catholic by taking First communion and confirmation. What would it hurt? Then at least they would be a confirmed Catholic, if they desire to follow the faith. It would also help if they were to marry catholic.

This is *usually* because they are another religion (we are Episcopal). Also, for a non-Catholic child to be in a Catholic school--well, of course, the child wants to "fit in" and would probably do the First Communion and the Confirmation. But would that be for the right reason? I know there were times when my DD wanted to do First Communion and Confirmation--mainly because her friends were having parties and wearing pretty white dresses!! She didn't really "get" the importance of it because she is/was young at the time. Now that both of my children have been heavily exposed to the Catholic teachings, I will let them make up their own minds (when they are older) if they wish to convert. If they have to go through RCIA, so be it. But having had 8 years of Catholic school behind them, I'm sure their RCIA program might get abbreviated a bit.

Also, where my kids go, I'm not aware of them just letting the children be Catholic without the parents going along in the program. We were not willing to do that.

 

[DebbieB]

Just wondering - do they charge the same tuition for members of the parish and non members? If the parish pays for part of the expenses of the school, I would think they wouldn't want to be paying for non members.

My nephew attended a Catholic grade school that was free for parish members (through a trust fund left by a member). But they did not give him the special ed classes he needed and he moved to public school.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

This is *usually* because they are another religion (we are Episcopal). Also, for a non-Catholic child to be in a Catholic school--well, of course, the child wants to "fit in" and would probably do the First Communion and the Confirmation. But would that be for the right reason? I know there were times when my DD wanted to do First Communion and Confirmation--mainly because her friends were having parties and wearing pretty white dresses!! She didn't really "get" the importance of it because she is/was young at the time. Now that both of my children have been heavily exposed to the Catholic teachings, I will let them make up their own minds (when they are older) if they wish to convert. If they have to go through RCIA, so be it. But having had 8 years of Catholic school behind them, I'm sure their RCIA program might get abbreviated a bit.

Also, where my kids go, I'm not aware of them just letting the children be Catholic without the parents going along in the program. We were not willing to do that.

Not abbreviated--but certainly different than what 2nd graders go through.

RCIA is actually Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. However, they do have a children's version---and no matter the age--they can go all the way through confirmation....whether they are 9 or 15. They don't have to wait. Usually RCIA is anywhere from a few months to a year (or beyond, depending on whether the individual has had enough time or chooses to study further before celebrating the rites)--depending on when a person wants to become Catholic and begins participating. The two dioceses I was a part of---they brought everyone in during Holy Week/Easter. So someone couldn't waltz in on Monday of Holy week and say--"hey, let me join today"--well they could join, but they wouldn't go through the cermonial aspects at that time. Unlike other christian faiths--a simple "I've been saved" doesn't suffice and there is some study involved.

So in a way, you are right b/c it will take them less time than a baptized Catholic following the normal route--but RCIA doesn't really get "abbreviated" per se.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Just wondering - do they charge the same tuition for members of the parish and non members? If the parish pays for part of the expenses of the school, I would think they wouldn't want to be paying for non members.

Not around here--there is a contributing parishioner rate ($600 per year offertory and attendance via envelopes), Parishioner--non contributing, Catholic, and then non-catholic.


And then there's all the volunteer hours--you can pay to get out of these, but most just volunteer.

 

[Deb in IA]

My kids attend Catholic elementary school and everyone attends Mass twice a week. I would think a non-Catholic would feel funny at that age, when everyone gets up for the Communion line, waiting in their seat.

Our non-Catholic children have always gone in the line for Communion, crossed their arms on their chest and received a blessing from the priest. They have not stayed in their seats and did not feel awkward at all.

 

[Deb in IA]

Just wondering - do they charge the same tuition for members of the parish and non members?

We pay about double of what a "parishioner in good standing with the Church" pays.

For elementary, annual tuition is just under $4000. For high school, it is $5300 (non-parishioner rates).

 

[Christine]

Just wondering - do they charge the same tuition for members of the parish and non members? If the parish pays for part of the expenses of the school, I would think they wouldn't want to be paying for non members.

My nephew attended a Catholic grade school that was free for parish members (through a trust fund left by a member). But they did not give him the special ed classes he needed and he moved to public school.

I pay about $250 more per school year, per child than the parishoners. It really depends on each parish. Supposedly, in this particular parish, the church really contributes very little funds toward the school (they are always complaining about this!!) so in our case, the difference is not very much. But, you should see the difference in the high school rate. Wooooweeee, it is something else. Parishoners pay $9,900 per year, while non-Catholics pay $13,300. Needless to say, my DD is going to public school for high school.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

At my DD and DS's catholic school, there are about 650 students and there may be a handful of non-catholic children, but they still must participate in all of the school religion, prayers, and weekly masses (of course they do not take communion at mass). The prayers the kids must know are extensive!!! So even the non-catholic kids must learn and say the catholic prayers. They have morning prayers, prayers before lunch, prayers when they hear sirens (ambulances/firetrucks) prayers after lunch, prayers before they go home, and certain prayers on certain Holy Days. They have various projects throughout the year on different saints, etc. and everyone, catholic and non-catholic must participate.

 

[welovewdw]

I will tell you that the school down the street--is great for "average" students...but if you have a gifted student or even one who has a serious LD--they are better off in another environment. (I hope that makes sense---good school...but a good school for the middle of the road students).

I've found that to be very true - which is one of the reasons we are not in Catholic schools.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I pay a couple thousand more than Church members for each of my children.

There was a fairly big stink last year about parents not attending church and not donating any money at all toward the church receiving Member tuition rates. I'm not sure how it was all settled.

 

[Christine]

I've found that to be very true - which is one of the reasons we are not in Catholic schools.

In our area, the Catholic school is MUCH more rigorous than the public school. Average students really struggle with the daily work.

My son was put in the beginning "gifted" program through 3rd grade in the public school. This was based on his IQ test and some of the "things" he did in class. He also pulled straight A's in public school as well as scoring in the 97% percentile and up on his standardized tests.

I moved him into a Catholic School for 4th grade because of issues related to where he would be going for middle school. The work was SOOO much harder for him, the responsibilities more, and they were working at a much higher level. The first 6 months were a real struggle for him. He even got a "D" on his first report card. It took him all year to adjust and pull his grades up to "Bs" (gasp) and he only scores in the 80-percentiles on the standardized tests that the Catholic school uses. It's been a real eye-opener for us. The kids who end up coming out of this Catholic school and go into public high school, end up being way ahead of their peers.

It will be interesting to see because my DD spent her middle school years in this school and was a low-B student the whole time (and worked her butt off). She is getting ready to start public high school and I can't wait to see if there will be any discernible difference in the curriculum.

 

[babar]

I've found that to be very true - which is one of the reasons we are not in Catholic schools.

Hmmm, our Catholic school had advanced classes in grade school and high school was college prep with ap honors classes and courses offered at local colleges.

 

[deelam]

Catholics can marry non-catholics .

I mean if you are not Catholic, but want to marry in the Catholic church. It's just one less headache to deal with if you are a confirmed Catholic and want to marry in a Catholic church.

 

[golfgal]

We pay about double of what a "parishioner in good standing with the Church" pays.

That is the same for our school. Catholic families from other parishes pay about $350 more for tuition, non-Catholic families pay double the member tuition.

 

[deelam]

I just wanted to say that it doesn't matter to me what the religion is of anyone is. It's all good. And more power to the parents who feel strongly enough about their religion not to convert. I would always welcome them as friends in our school. I would never try to push my religion down anothers throat. I send my kids to Catholic school to learn the catholic faith and for the structure the school provides. If I weren't Catholic, I wouldn't send my kids to a Catholic school. I really want to ask what draws non Catholics to Catholic schools? So many Catholic schools have fallen on hard times. And there is no way many can compete with what the public schools offer. Even other non Catholic private schools would be an option.

For us, if you are a member of the parish you save about $800 per year. But you are expected to put $8 per week in the collection.

 

[dennis99ss]

Good idea to check the religious order who is in charge of the school. There are some orders which are very good. There is one which seems to pop up a lot on radar screens, so, do a search.

Good idea to get in early. You are in the South, and the South has the largest growth for catholics in the country. In our school, we fill spots based on returning students, siblings of returning students, parish members, non parish members. In a two classroom kindergarten, this year, it never got to parish members. Prek 3 and 4 have waiting lists.