Why Choose a Catholic School?

"Community is at the heart of all Catholic education, not simply as a concept to be taught, but as a reality to be lived . . . Your students will learn to understand and appreciate the value of community as they experience love, trust, and loyalty in your school and educational programs. They will learn to trust all persons as brothers and sisters created by God and redeemed by Christ" — St. John Paul II.

When parents choose a Catholic School for their children, it sets their children apart as a family so committed to their children's education that they are ready to make extraordinary sacrifices. By making the sacrifice necessary to send their children to Catholic school, parents show them education is a high priority. In addition, Catholic schools provide a loving, loyal environment where the entire community of parents, teachers, students, and parish is committed to academic and personal success. Here are some key reasons why to consider a Catholic education:

Academics

• Over 99 percent of Catholic school students will graduate from high school. And 80 percent of graduates attend a four-year institution of higher learning.
• Student achievement in Catholic schools for 4th, 8th, and 12th grades was consistently higher than their public school peers between 2000 - 2005, as indicated by standardized math, reading, and writing tests.

Spirituality & Faith Formation

• Catholic schools seek to prepare our children in mind and spirit during the most formative and vulnerable time of their lives so that they can live lives full of hope, joy, and peace, no matter their challenges.
• Each day in the Catholic school presents opportunities for students to put their values to use--in the classroom, at lunch, and during recess.

Personal Attention

• Because of the small class size and close parental involvement, each student receives special attention to meet their needs.
• Catholic Schools offer students a safe and supportive environment.
• Catholic School success depends on the partnership of our parents, our children's first and foremost educators, who provide overwhelming gifts of time, talent, and treasure to our schools. Family input and involvement result in higher attendance rates and lower dropout rates.
• Catholic Schools develop the whole person, challenging each student to reach their full potential.

"Why choose Catholic education?" The answer is clear. Catholic schools do a better job of educating students.

1. U. S. Department of Education.Conference of Catholic Bishops. February 2005. http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2005/02/02282005a.html
2. U.S. Department of Education study on Student Achievement in Private Schools. http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/studies/2006459.pdf. http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/writing/results2002/natachieve-schooltype-all.asp