Why the success?

Those committed to Catholic schools are convinced that our students succeed because of:

A rigorous curriculum. A Nation at Risk, a national study by the U.S. government, indicated that the country was in economic danger because of the low achievement of students in government-controlled schools. Further study showed that students were not taking the courses that their parents had taken in secondary schools. Many of the courses they were now taking had been considerably "watered down," according to this report. This was not and is not the case in Catholic schools.

Catholic schools have a very clear goal for their students. The vast majority of their students advance to college (about 94%) and graduate from college. The programs in elementary and secondary schools prepare students for this goal. Therefore, most students take four years of mathematics, history, English, science, foreign language, and of course religious studies. In addition, students are held to a high standard of achievement. Class and homework assignments challenge students.

Self-discipline with a Christian focus. The emphasis placed on external discipline in Catholic schools attempts to foster self-discipline. Catholic schools seek to develop the Christlike person. Part of being Christlike requires people to accept responsibility for their actions and to respect others. The rules established in Catholic schools foster growth in the value of self-responsibility.

Catholic school students are taught to recognize the presence of Christ in themselves and others. This reverence for people permeates all aspects of school life.

To be involved in drugs, alcohol or violence is to be anti-Christ. Catholic schools are not merely "Gun-free Zones," "Drug-free Zones" or "Violence-free Zones." They seek to be "Christ-centered Zones." These attitudes hopefully will carry over into adult life so that the homes of Catholic school graduates will be "Christ-centered Homes."

High expectations. You have heard many times the famous line, "Sister said." Perhaps the most frequent thing that Sister said was, "I know you can and will succeed." The sisters expected every student to achieve. In my first year teaching, I showed my students’ grades to the principal, who examined them and asked, "What did you do that four students failed mathematics?" The principal helped me to see that the students did not fail. I failed the students.

Research from many fields has shown the importance of high expectations. Not only did the sisters have high expectations of their students. They communicated this to their students, who internalized this value. This, in turn, enhanced their self-concept. Of the many gifts that religious women have given to this country, this determination that children will learn is one of their greatest gifts. Although few religious sisters teach in Catholic schools today, their legacy of high expectations continues.

Commitment of parents. Parents are the first educators of their children in time, importance, effect, commitment and many other ways. The school serves the parents and works with them for the good of children. Catholic schools have capitalized on this concept and insisted that parents take an active part in their children’s education. When parents register their children, they are told the program and asked to commit themselves to work with the school. When some difficulty arises, parents are immediately contacted and asked, "What can we do together to solve this problem?"

Not only are Catholic school parents committed to their own children’s education, they are committed to their schools. Each year the over 5,000,000 parents of Catholic school students provide hundreds of millions of hours of volunteer service to their schools. Parents have built schools, assisted in the office, taught classes, taken students on trips and performed hundreds of other services.

Challenges we face. As Catholic education moves into the 21st century, special attention must be focused on these challenges:

Staffing. After the students themselves, teachers are Catholic schools’ most precious assets. The Catholic identity of the school, the academic program, the modeling for the students depend upon the faculty. At one time, this was assured because large numbers of religious served on the staff. Today, many Catholic school educators graduate from state colleges and universities. As a result they lack many years of instruction in a Catholic environment.

Diocesan and national programs are addressing this. But more needs to be done and be done quickly.

Finances. Finances have been a problem from the time the first Catholic school opened in the country. Today this issue represents a two-edged sword. Catholic schools have a much lower per-pupil cost than the state schools. One reason for this is the salaries of their educators are only about half those of teachers in government schools. One of the main reasons why the salaries are so low is the desire of administrators to keep tuition down so Catholic schools remain affordable for all children. How do we solve this dilemma? The current movement to provide full and fair parental choice in education seeks to give all parents the means to send their children to the schools they know are best for them, whether they be state-controlled or independent. Catholics should become familiar with this justice issue and get involved. Finances will remain a problem for Catholic schools until elected officials respond to the call of millions of citizens to assist all parents with the education of their children. At the same time, Catholics must increase their giving to Catholic schools as many Catholics did a few generations ago. Support for Catholic schools is the responsibility of all Catholics.

Special-needs children. You cannot read the Gospels without discovering Jesus’ love for people with special needs. The history of our Church highlights saints who reached out to help those in need. Today, the Catholic Church is recognized for all its efforts to assist the disabled or the ably different. Each year, largely because of finances, Catholic schools turn away thousands of children with various forms of disabilities. A hopeful sign appears in the growing number of schools adapting their buildings and programs to enable such children to enjoy the benefits of a Catholic school. Catholic educators cannot be content until this problem is adequately addressed.

These challenges must not distract us from one of the biggest selling points for Catholic schools. Outside sacramental programs, Catholic schools have done more for evangelization than any other American Church institution. For over 200 years, they have been the most effective means of helping youth grow in their faith. As they face the challenges, they will continue to have a profound impact on the Catholic Church and the American nation.

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