For background, I’ve always been a big proponent of Catholic schools. That’s not to say there is anything wrong with sending your kids to public school, I just like the religious aspect and faith formation available in the parochial environment.
To that end, my kids have attended Catholic grade school and junior high. The mixing of intellectual and spiritual growth has been important to us as parents and I have no regrets about the additional cost and the sacrifices we must make to do so.
As we get closer to my daughter entering high school, I am rethinking my position on Catholic high school.
A smart (brag: my girl is on the Honor Roll!), confident and intelligent pre-adolescent, our plan has always been to send her to the one and only all-girls Catholic high school in San Diego. We have several friends who went there as girls and speaking nothing but good things about it. It’s a long haul (over 26 miles one way) but we’re prepared to do that as we believe strongly in Catholic education.
But when I started to hear some things about not only that school, but other Catholic high schools in my area, I started to think twice. When the Catholic schools aren’t providing a more Catholic environment, is it worth the cost?
The American public education system, once the envy of the developed world, has lost some of its luster but still is ahead of most other industrialized nations. Our kids get good educations (OK, in most neighborhoods) and grow up learning from passionate and engaged teachers. But due to more cultural sensitivity, and some Supreme Court rulings, faith – at least some – are not part of the equation.
I’ve struggled with that. And, frankly, it’s one of the reasons I have been so resistant to send my kids to public school. Some Catholic school parents fear public schools. I am not one of them.
After hearing what I’ve heard about many of our Catholic high schools, I am left wondering if its worth the money. My kids have a strong faith foundation. Why spend $10,000 a year to send them to a “Catholic” school when they’re not doing any more than reading some books and having casual discussions about Catholicism?
For example, in our neck of the woods, the local public high school has a strong and active pro-life club. It also has and LGBT group, SADD, etc. All of the groups you’d expect. The local Catholic high school hasn’t allowed a pro-life group. That’s odd to me and underscores my new philosophy that your faith is your faith and it can be compatible and nurtured in the public school enviornment.
I still do believe in Catholic schools. This parent just wants them to be truly Catholic or I’ll take my money and save it for college. If not, then why are they there? With a massive public school system, flush with resources, why pay extra if you’re not getting better academics or faith foundation?
Follow Scott on Twitter @sdgully or email him at scott@everyotherthursday.com. His personal blog, where he writes about public relations and social media, is www.scottgulbransen.com. Scott also contributes the the Shamable Blog and is known as the Gluten Free Father and reviews GF food.
My daughter is only in kindergarten, so I have a long time before we make the high school decision. That being said, I'm couldn't be happier that we chose a Catholic school. Our public schools in this area are losing teachers, classes, teachers aides, and extracurriculars because of poor funding. At least in my daughter's school that isn't a concern.