Essay Instructions: Write an essay or letter answering the following question.
In what ways will the uniqueness of a Catholic high school education benefit your daughter?
Following is some different information that might be helpful.
By far the best thing I got out of it (and the 2nd biggest reason my kids are going to Catholic school) is the feeling of family. The feeling of belonging to a real community within a community. You tend to have to be really involved. You really feel like people care about you. In public school, there were teachers who obviously cared, but the overall the feeling was that you really didn't matter.
In Catholic school, you are taught right from wrong. It isn't an esoteric feel good sort of morality as could be upheld by the secular schools but the real, hey-if-you-do-wrong-you-will-be-punished sort of right and wrong.
Catholicism is something to be proud of and embrace. Being Catholic makes you special and different and that is something to celebrate.
The Catholic Schools are committed to teaching values for a lifetime and are dedicated to helping students reach their highest potential. The many benefits of a Catholic education help students develop the foundation they need for success in life.
Spiritual and Moral Values
Unique to Catholic schools is the opportunity to nurture spiritual and moral values within the students. This occurs and is constantly reinforced not only in classes of religious instruction but throughout the curriculum and extracurricular activities. The Gospel message is taught in our classrooms every day.
Academics
Our private schools are renowned for academic excellence with students consistently scoring in the top 1/3 on nationally standardized tests.
Community Service
Catholic schools exemplify the importance of living the message of the Gospel by helping others. All of our students participate in community service projects.
Continued Education
In a Catholic school, a child will be encouraged to further his or her education. The total number of Catholic high school graduates who continue their education is approximately 98 percent.
Extracurricular Activities
Catholic school students enjoy the benefits of a broad selection of extracurricular activities and sports to develop community commitment, social skills and physical fitness. Approximately 80 percent of our students participate in these activities.
Parental Involvement
Parental involvement is a critical to our schools. From the education commissions to home and school associations, to booster clubs and more, our private high schools and elementary schools look to parents for leadership.
Graduation Rate
Catholic students believe in the importance of a quality education. Approximately 98 percent of Catholic school students finish high school.
Committed Faculty
All teachers in the Catholic Schools are state certified, prepared and eager to educate your children.
Parents choose Catholic schools for their children because of high academic standards; values-added education and a safe school environment
Catholic Schools stress the value of self-discipline and commitment.
Catholic Schools encourage family input and involvement in the ongoing education of their children. Research shows that such a partnership results in higher attendance rates and lower dropout rates.
Catholic School students score significantly above the national averages on standardized testing.
Research shows that because of a greater emphasis on homework and study, Catholic School students develop more effective writing skills.
Catholic School faculty members are qualified professionals committed to bringing out the best in their students as they grow in knowledge, skills, and values.
Faculty and staff are role models who share their faith, their talents, and their time.
Catholic Schools have an excellent success rate in educating minority students.
Catholic Schools encourage each student to accept the challenges of being a better person in tomorrow's world.
The emphasis is on participation by all students.
Standardized test scores and a high college acceptance rate reflect that the Catholic School students are self-disciplined, self-motivated, responsible, and creative.
Appropriate social and cultural activities, under school sponsorship, provide relaxation and creative outlets.
Catholic Schools represent affordable excellence; there is an emphasis on efficiency and accountability.
Tuition cost is often supplemented by the parish, so the Catholic community shares the cost of education.
In addition to a strong program in the "basics," as well as challenging programs for gifted students, Catholic Schools add the significant "plus" of religious, moral, and spiritual development.
Faith and Values
Catholic Schools help students understand that each person is unique and valuable.
Catholic Schools strive to create a special bond among the students, the home, the school, and the church, so that all share the strong sense of community.
In Catholic Schools there is a mutual respect among students, faculty, and administrators which generates an atmosphere of care and concern.
Catholic Schools join with the family to help students understand their special place in the family, the Church, and society.
Students explore their faith through classes and activities in Scripture, Sacraments, Church, and morality.
While not all students who come to Catholic Schools are Catholic, all share experiences of faith and values