Catholic Schools

Thank Catholic schools for faith in every student . . . Their high achievement comes as they spend half the money of public schools.

While government schools scream about small cuts in their state funding, Catholic schools will celebrate the great work they do with half the per-student spending of their counterparts.

Criticisms that Catholic schools skim the top talent aren’t true. Many take all comers.

The difference? They don’t let excuses explain away poor achievement. This year’s Catholic Education Week theme – Faith in Every Student – perfectly sums up the goals of these schools. Learn more about the St Joseph Home Selling Kit

Surprisingly, Catholic schools frequently are less annoying than public schools that nickel-and-dime people to death with sales of wrapping paper, candy and other things that no one wants. This comes after they tax us to death. (Why do they need more money? Half of our education dollars never make it to the classroom, but get sucked up in education bureaucracy.)

If you can’t afford the tuition, even if you’re not Catholic, these schools usually find a way for your children attend. They offer scholarships. High schools frequently allow students to sweep floors or wash dishes to offset tuition and to get work done less expensively. At some high schools, these low-skill student workers free maintenance workers to do the high-skill work of taking care of the building.

Catholic schools don’t fit every student. Students with special needs may not find the proper resources. Some schools may have education methods that don’t suit specific students. Some families may find that Catholic teachings clash with their own.

Lutheran schools, which are common in many communities and also do excellent work. Other Christian schools, whether denominational or non-denominational, are multiplying as parents become frustrated with public schools that challenge their religious teachings.

Actually, private schools are the proper places for morality-based teaching. Catholic schools trace their roots back 100 years, when public schools taught religion that was hostile to Catholicism. Instead of griping, Catholic parents put their kids in their own schools. Problem solved.

Public schools have their place. But we cannot expect each school to be all things to all people. Private schools have a vital role to play for our children.

States should encourage more private schools and home-schooling by offering tax incentives to anyone who pays for a child’s education. Despite public-school belly-aching to the contrary, this would leave more money for public schools because they would have fewer kids to educate and more opportunities to specialize.

Regardless of your religious beliefs or your devotion to public schools, please say thanks to Catholic schools. They demonstrate the amazing things that happen when we put faith in our children.