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catholic high schools add value to education

Story and photos by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

In these economic times, it is difficult to justify added expenses under any circumstances, but one expense that turns into a lifelong asset is a Catholic education.
These days, Catholic families must weigh their choices, but they have to look at the long term gains and the investment they make in their children’s lives when choosing a high school for their children.

Dr. Patricia McCormack, IHM, was a speaker at the recent diocesan education convention held Oct. 10 at Holy Trinity Parish in Fairview Heights.

“Students can grow in critical thinking skills and academic excellence in any high school, but cognitive development is only one part of a teenager,” Dr. McCormack said. “The age of 14 to18 is a fertile time for emotional-affective, moral, and spiritual development.

“The major life-task of adolescence involves a psychic struggle between role confusion and a consistent, positive identity that includes the ability to (1) set and achieve goals, (2) face the challenges of the adult community, (3) establish respectful relations with age mates of both sexes, (4) demonstrate emotional independence of parents and adults, (5) accept personal appearance, and (6) recognize personal worth and competence.

“Morally mature adolescents develop conscience based on self-respect and social responsibility; they demonstrate concern for the common good; and they practice initiative and industry with emphasis on service to the human family.
“Generally, pre-high school teens accept the beliefs, attitudes, and values of the community on which to build their faith. Spiritually maturing adolescents, however, enter into a searching stage in which they reflect critically on the faith of their childhood and they seek to establish a personal faith identity.

“A Catholic high school is the most effective agent in the total formation of an adolescent. Parents remain the primary educators of their children throughout adolescence. Nevertheless, who would prefer to go it alone when a qualified, faith-based educational environment is available?” Dr. McCormack asked.

Diocesan Catholic high school principals wrestle with many issues on a daily basis, but Gibault Catholic High School principal, Russ Hart has never wrestled with, or questioned his belief in, and dedication to Catholic education.
Using the present economic crisis, he describes Catholic education as “a safe investment in troubled times.”
“The current economic situation is recounted on the front pages of every newspaper, and people are stunned at the money they have lost and concerned about whether their retirement plans will allow them to retire,” Hart said.

Catholic high school parents “should stand back for a moment and compare their ‘investment’ in Catholic schools to their 401K,” he said.

Quoting statistics, he said, “Catholic high schools graduate 99% of their students and 97% go on to college. They score higher on standardized tests by significant margins. They participate in their school and communities,” he said.
Over the years, these results have become predictable.

In addition, Catholic high schools prepare students for life’s journey, and this type of preparation, arguably the most important, can’t always be found in a book,” Hart said.

Along with the academics, “Catholic high schools pass on tradition, values, trust, forgiveness, faith, hope and love. Sounds like we are trying to live the Gospels,” Hart said.

While those who invest in the market depend on their brokers to make decisions, Catholic schools invite and look to parents to become partners in the educational process.

“Catholic high schools not only seek help from their parents they embrace it,” Hart said. “Parents expect more of us, and we include them to achieve the highest expectations,” he said. When young people have “an issue or need thoughtful direction, the school and parents are aware and prepared to give full attention.”

While investments carry many risks, “Catholic schools will not risk lowering their standards.

“Curriculums are demanding and graduation requirements are set higher than the local and state requirements. Assignments are challenging and relevant, never watered down. When students graduate from Catholic high schools they are well prepared for the next level.

“An investment in a Catholic education is an investment with direct observable results, now, and for years to come,” he said. We can’t always predict the course that will face our students, but we can prepare them for whatever comes their way” knowing they will make the world a better place.”