Supplements

archive ISSUE

Catholic education/schools makes a difference

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., (CNS) — As the new school year began, the president of the National Catholic Educational Association was speaking to educators about academics and faith at a meeting in Grand Rapids, Mich.
“My big question,” Karen Ristau asked her audience Aug. 30, “is how can we talk about Catholic identity and excellent academics in the same sentence, the same paragraph.”

Ristau urged the group of staff members and pastors from Catholic schools to remember that their schools promote “a Catholic way of life” and should “cultivate a sense of awe and gratitude, a desire for truth, an ability to continue learning about the world and the knowledge that we are especially loved by God.”

“We want young people to learn that this is how we do things, this is how we live,” she added.
Ristau told her listeners that Catholic education has changed since she and many others attended Catholic schools.
Where religious once dominated the classrooms, she said, now 96 percent of teachers in Catholic schools are laypeople.

Most teachers in Catholic schools are dedicated people who chose to teach in a Catholic school and consider their job a vocation. Some began teaching in a Catholic school because they needed a job and now they love it and would never leave.

As Ristau encouraged the teachers to think about, reflect on, perhaps pray about why they teach in a Catholic school, so parents, too, must consider why they send their children and their teenagers to Catholic schools.
The reasons vary from passing on the faith to being in a safe environment to making sure their youngsters receive the best possible education.

Following are some reasons parents choose Catholic education. Ristau’s staff gave these as reasons to choose Catholic schools. They offer:

1. Catholic tradition and academic excellence in a community grounded in a common faith.
2. Balanced curriculum including art, music and fitness.
3. Emphasis on moral development, service to others and leadership skills.
4. A 99 percent graduation rate in Catholic high schools.
5. Strong preparation for further education.
6. Safe and disciplined environment.
7. Exceptional faculty who help students reach their highest potential.
8. Individual attention in a caring community.
9. Commitment to technology use to enhance education.
10. Good stewardship of resources.