Catholic School or Not

I know I'm late jumping in here (been on vacation)... My boys go to Catholic school (just starting 4 y.o. preschool and 1st grade) and I wouldn't change a thing!! The public schools in our area are garbage - and I'm not exaggerating...We were considering sending the boys to a neighboring district (we have school of choice here) but the neighboring schools weren't much better... We sort of "fell" into Catholic schools while sending AJ to preschools - we belonged to a neighboring church without a school, and never thought we'd be able to afford tuition beyong preschool...but after the welcoming, nurturing, heartwarming experience we had the first year, we just knew it was the right place for our boys. We eventually switched parishes (very sad for us) so we could be members of the church as well as the school. Tuition isn't bad, but all the "extras" do "hurt" at times - but we make sacrifices in other area, and truth be told, I feel much more at peace writing out our tuition check than I do some of the other things in our budget - lol. The only negative I can think of (and it really is a negative) is that the school doesn't have very much ethnic diversity. Our neighborhood does, though, so that is a good thing.

Depends on the school and the child. I went 12yrs to Catholic school. My one son went to Catholic primary school. My middle child started, but do the lack of speical education classes, I put him in public school.The Catholic schools in our arear had NO speech classes that my son needed. If you child has no special needs, then Catholic schools are great! If you child needs additional or specialized classes, MOST Catholic schools do not have the resources for the additional help.

Jackie, Good point - not all private schools cater to those who have special needs (meaning those who are above and below the average, as well as those who need a bit of help in areas such as speech). Both my boys needed speech as well. The local public school would send the speech teacher to our school for all the kids that needed it. I am on the school committee, and that is one of our focuses this year...to pull in programs for children who are both excelling and struggling...

I would love to send the girls to Catholic school-but the tuition is $6,000 for one school and $5900 for the other. It's just too much for me, as a single mom, to spend at this time. I'm hoping I can get Maire-Kate into Catholic school for 6th grade so I don't have to send her to a public middle school. I still don't know how I'll swing the tuition, though. And there is no bussing or after school care programs-so that will be an issue, too.

Love my 2 boys - Sent the teacher to the Catholic school - that is great. I had to take my son in the middle of the day to the public school for speech and then back to the Catholic school. At that point, I decided his education was being impacted, so we changed to the public school. I have to add that the public school in my little town is very good and we have no real issues.

My mother went to Catholic school and had bad experiences. Where I live, there is do diversity in Catholic school and the public schools aren't that bad. Plus, the public schools offer before and after school activities and resources. However, I'd LOVE for my kids to wear uniforms. My cousin went to a public school and the dress code was white shirt and gray pants. My school district voted down uniforms!!

milllie - I have to say, uniforms are wonderful! I wouldn't have it any other way...and jeans day are really special for my kids...They look forward to them. I know what you are saying about your mom having a bad experience - catholic schools were much different years ago - My Dad said the nuns were awful...but he was a Polish immigrant, and that's where they felt a sense of community - the Polish school/church, so that's all he knew. It seems like alot of the Catholic schools don't have as many programs as the public schools, so I should thank my lucky stars. I can't believe how many wonderful programs ours has. Lack of diversity is the one and only downfall for us. There is no diversity in the boys' school. Fortunately, our neighborhood is relatively diverse, and where I work is wonderfully diverse - and the kids get to spend time there because we have an amazing clubhouse/pool...So they've met alot of great people that they otherwise wouldn't have!

I teach in a Catholic School and I plan on sending our children there. I've been very impressed with all of the teachers that I work with. Also, the fact that in our Diocese there is no tuition (it is based on stewardship) makes it affordable for DH and I.

I would if they did it like they do in Wichita, KS where if you tithe you don't pay tuition. I believe that is the only way to be fair & allow all Catholic's to have thier children attend, not just the "well-er" off ones (not that ALL are well off...but well from what I see in TX they are either well off, or not Catholic). I grew up with families that would NEVER have been able to afford for thier kids to go there...tithing plus tuition would have been too much, but they were able to go there, and I believe this makes a huge difference not only in the schools themselves but the atmosphere. The reason it works is that people are way more likely to tithe if they see thier money in action at the schools. It is the only fair way to go IMO. :) Also - I would have to take into account diversity. Catholic Schools here have few if none AA students, for one reason or another. I don't want my kid being the only black kid in school KWIM?

No tuition at all? How do they fund the school? We pay tuition in addition to stewardship...but that is really very minimal...17 hours a year per family for the school and 8 for the church...I had my hours completed the first month - haha...too bad I can't "bank" my hours...I think I'd be set from now until 8th grade!! Vogi - in order to get the active stewardship rate (in addition to volunteering) We are only required to give $650 a year in the church offering...When you refer to tithing, do you mean 10% of your income? We are not well off - in fact, private schools is our one "luxury"...and it is a struggle. I'm really very interested in this non-tuition/stewardship based education. I'm on our school committee, so if either of you can explain how this works, please pm me - I'd really love to hear your experiences!!

We don't have kids yet, but this is something that I have given a lot of thought about. We are fortunate to live in a great public school system, it has a lot of resources that the local parish school does not. Also, DH is a very proud teacher in the same public school system. On the other hand, I like the idea of living the Catholic faith in all aspects. It would be wonderful to know that our children receive education in an environment that re-inforces the spiritual values that we teach at home. I like seeing pictures of Jesus in the classroom, and hearing the kids pray before and after meals in the cafeteria. Darn, I think I'm changing my mind (again!)

10% is considered tithing. There is a limit to what you are "supposed" to tithe also, but not sure what that is. They fund the school based on tithing, and since everyone knows that it is based on tithing only people are more apt to tithe. Plus people are more willing to tithe after thier children have left school since by that time they are used to it & they have really seen the benefits. That is what I believe, I don't know the specifics as we have since moved to TX and they don't do that here. I know I would without a doubt tithe what we are "supposed" to (10%) if it meant my children got a Catholic education. Sadly, I feel as though we are paying for marble columns & fancy churches.... I know I can't afford not only the 6000 tuition rate NOW they charge, but in high school it is almost 10 - 15,000 a year PER CHILD!

wow, that $6000 would be for over 3 kids in my parish school! Have you looked to see what scholarships/grants or assistance is available? We have tuition sponsors in our parish, plus they've clearly listed every scholarship or grant available for parents to apply for. One child in our parish is $2400. $200 a month for the education of our choice is wonderful. I guess I look at it this way (for myself). Parents who require the day care cost for family reasons justify the expense, it's necesssary. If you want your child to receive this education then the cost has to be justified and known to be necessary in your hearts. It is an extra for sure. It might be a regional thing (I know Texans like things big :D) but our local churches (even the large popular shrine in our area) are all very modest and reflect the true community. Just this year, 0nly after 50 years, did our own church finally do cosmetic work....a little facelift that does benefit us all in the end (weddings, baptisms, etc...its nice to be in a church that looks well maintained). Our parish is very communicative about where the $ goes :)

I knew tithing was 10% but wasnt sure if that's what was expected...I recently read a study where Catholics, on average, only donate 2-3% of their income to their church...I can't remember where I read it (I think in Catholic Digest). Our tuition rate isn't anywhere near 10% of our income...It's closer to the 2% mark...I guess I should be grateful... We work very hard to put the kids through the younger grades...Once high school comes, I'm not sure if we will be able to swing it - the kids are only 2 years apart, so you're talking $30,000 for 2 (although they do offer a SLIGHT discount for multiple children). Binky - our parish is modest as well...Although the church does have GORGEOUS wood ceilings (not that I spend mass time staring at them :arrow: ).

Sorry, I posted about the Wichita Diocese and didn't follow up on the replies (vogi thank you for filling in for me) Yes, no tuition in our diocese. We are a model for Catholic schools throughout the country, because our schools are growing and stewardship is very strong here. The parishes in the diocese have made a commentment to tithe inorder to keep the schools going. Parents, and our church members are very involved in the school and volunteer to help out with activities. It is simply amazing and I feel blessed.