Schools

catholic schools

catholic schools questions and answers

More information about catholic schools at Education News.

Q: Why are there so many Catholic schools and universities compared to other denominations?
I live in a heavily baptist/protestant area (we've been called the "buckle of the Bible Belt") but the oldest parochial schools in the area are all Catholic and there are 5 Catholic schools and only 4 protestant schools.

A: I think there are 2 reasons 1) Roman Catholics are the most numerous sect in the U.S. 2) The Roman Catholic Church actually considers such efforts (the formation of Roman Catholic schools) to be valuable and worthwhile I, too, live in the "bible belt" - Baptist Heaven. In the city in which I live, there are 3 private schools - the first two are Roman Catholic and Episcopalian, respectively, and are only elementary schools. The other is a high school that is funded by most of the Protestant sects in the area. The very wealthy Baptist Church in the city makes no attempt to institute a private school. Part of the reason for a lack of Baptist schooling is the independent nature of Baptist congregations. There is no "concerted effort" by all Southern Baptists, for instance, to provide Baptist schooling. Another reason is the evangelical nature of many Protestant sects, including the Baptists. The idea is that you are supposed to be "out in the world" evangelizing others - not closeted in a Baptist school with other Baptists who have no need of salvation. Finally: to those who answered "money" - that is most definitely a point. However, the Roman Catholics, in general, have more money because they have more followers. However, even where I live and the Roman Catholics have a very small congregation compared to many other sects, it is the Roman Catholics (and Episcopalians) who make the greatest solo effort at providing Christian education for the community. Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com

Q: Do you go to a catholic school? If so are you celebrating catholic schools week?
What does your school do on catholic schools week?

A: Well I go to a public college now, but I went to a Catholic high school. So, during Catholic Schools week, we would have days such as: Sprit Day Dress Down day Twin Day Jersey Day So, I can't remember everything, but for that week, everday would have different things that the students and the school did to celebrate Catholic schools week. I really liked Jersey day so I could wear my Yankees Jersey over my uniform pants =)

Q: Are Catholic/Parochial schools teachers members of teacher's unions? If not, are they allowed to join a union?
Do Catholic Schools follow NCLB?

A: Most teachers in parochial schools are not unionized. That's why he salary is low, class size is large and benefits are minimal. The money just isn't there. There are some professional associations but I have yet to see any parochial school teachers go on on strike. As to NCLB, I am not sure. Yes you can join the NEA or AFT and the state associations. It wouldn't hurt to get the liability & legal representation/coverage if you ever need it.

Q: How can I find out the cost of catholic schools in my area. I live in Thibodaux, LA.?
There are two catholic elementary schools in my area, St Joseph and St Genevieve and I am interested in tuition cost information for both.

A: These schools do not post tuition rates on-line. I suggest you contact each of them directly: St Joseph Elementary School: 501 Cardinal Drive Thibodaux , Louisiana 70301 Phone: (985) 446-1346 Fax: (985) 449-0760 Email: grodrigue@htdiocese.org Website: http://www.stjosephcatholicschool.net/ St Genevieve Elementary School: 807 Barbier Avenue Thibodaux, LA 70301 Phone 985.447.9291 Fax: 985.447.9883 E-mail: stgenelm@htdiocese.org Website: http://www.stgenevieveschool.us With love in Christ.

Q: Can you be muslim and attend catholic schools?
My parent's are sending me to a Catholic private school. They believe catholic schools are used to kids of other faiths and won't try to convert me. Back in my home country we had nuns and brothers left over from italian colonization. Would it be fine if I attend catholic private school? will I get in trouble if I don't pray in the mass? thanks!

A: It is true you do not have to be Catholic to attend a Catholic school, for many years actually they were one of, if not the only, choice for private schooling. No, you will not get in trouble as long as you are quite and respectful.

Q: Anyone know of any agencies where they can place you as a sub in private/Catholic schools in NYC?
I want to be called in as a substitute teacher for non-religious private schools and Catholic schools too. Are there any such agencies where they can place me as a sub there in NYC and Long Island?

A: Contact the Superintendent of Schools for the Catholic Archdiocese of New York: 1011 First Avenue, 18 FL New York, NY 10022 (212) 371-1011 X 2881 http://www.ny-archdiocese.org/education/superintendent-of-schools/ http://www.adnyeducation.org/ With love in Christ.

Q: Why is the book "The Golden Compass" banned from Catholic schools?
I've heard from other people that the Catholic school board is banning the Golden Compass. I have a couple of questions. Why are they banning the book? Just because it has magic in it, like Harry Potter, or is there something in the story that's bad? And why are they banning it now, when the movie's coming out? Was it not important enough of an issue until now?

A: They're banning it now because it has a real chance to reach the common masses. Before the movie came out, the only people likely to be exposed to it would have been the people who believed in the possibility of the premise in the first place...or at least were open to it. They're banning it because it's about the quest to "kill God". The really ironic thing is that by banning it, they're only going to succeed in heightening the curiosity to find out more about it. How many Catholics would never have known about it if there wasn't so much controversy surrounding it now?

Q: Are there still a lot of pedophile priests in Catholic schools?
I am considering enrolling my son in a Catholic school. but am worried about him being sexually molested. Has this issue been fully resolved by the church and so I having nothing to worry about?

A: About the same number as pedophile teachers in the public school system. The union protects them there.

Q: Is it true that kids in Canada can go to Catholic schools for free?
My cousin lives in Ontario Canada and she goes to a Catholic high school but her parents don't pay for it. It's just like a public school but Catholic stuff and mass and all that. And like I go to a Catholic high school here in Ohio but we have to pay for it? Like . . . why do those peeps get it free?

A: In Ontario, the "public" schools include those from the Catholic School Boards and the regular public school boards. For example, if you live in Toronto, your children - based on your religion - may attend a school in the Toronto District School Board or the Toronto Catholic District School Board. I believe that you must actually be Catholic and provide a letter from a parish priest in order to gain admission to the Catholic schools. (Catholics have the option of attending the regular public schools as well.) All public education in Ontario is funded by the Provincial Government. There are no fees to attend school other than the usual incidental fees charged by high schools (e.g. student council, yearbook, field trips). This gives Catholic families the option of sending one child to a regular public school and another child to a public Catholic school. When education was being funded by the municipalities in combination with a minor subsidy from the province, families had to declare their school board support in order to direct their taxes appropriately. So, for a Catholic family it was all or nothing - all the children in your family either attended the public Catholic school or the regular public school. I believe there is a similar situation in the other provinces across the country as to Catholic and non-Catholic schools. The origin would come from the time of Confederation in 1867. With a major portion of the country comprised of Quebec and the Catholics living there, the country needed to ensure that they would have public education for all. Of course, at that time, it did not include all the many different religious groups we now include as part of our multicultural country. That is also the reason we have English and French as our 2 official languages. These rights are firmly entrenched in Canadian law. The only changes in recognition of our growing multiculturalism will be when families can receive tax credits for fees paid to private schools from their own religious groups other than Catholic.

Q: Is there still a regulation skirt length in private/catholic schools?
I heard that sometimes girls will roll up and tuck in a few inches of their uniform skirt in the waist to raise the hem so they can show off more thigh. So I was wondering if there still is an enforced rule nowadays that girls wearing their catholic school uniform can only show a few inches of leg above the knee?

A: yeah it is but they don't spazz like they do in the movies...you know, when they come at you with rulers. there is a regulation but it is reasonable

Q: Do the french schools ban the catholic nuns habit equally as in banning the hijab?
I never heard a ruling on this. but do they require their nun teachers in catholic schools to take off their head covering also?...

A: As salaamu 'alaikym Insha'Allah, no, the French government never required the French Catholic nuns to remove their veils. Several reasons, France has a well organized and established non-religious school system as they have an even greater separation of church and state than do the Americans so only Catholic schools have nuns in habit teaching in them and Muslims are not attending such schools. Catholic religious do not teach in the secular schools which many Muslims do attend. The ban was in regards to those children attending the public school system in France. As with most issues, the news media did the whole world another disservice by not reporting this correctly. Bon jour. Ma'a salaam

Q: Why are they so strict in Catholic schools?
Ok so I go to a Catholic School. It's a really big school, with like 2300 kids in it. But I don't get why catholic school principals are so strict? Like the teachers are nice but the principals and vice principals are always like so mean. Like today was first day of high school for the grade 9s so the VP comes on the intercom and screams to the 10s (my grade),11s and 12s "WARNING TO ALL UPPER GRADES, THERE WILL BE NO HAZING WHAT SO EVER!!!!! IF THERE IS ANY ... THATS ANY INCIDENT OF BULLYING OR HAZING, ANY STUDENTS INVOLVED WILL BE EXPELLED ANDD WILL NOT PASS THE SEMESTER. THIS INCLUDES BYSTANDERS ... BYSTANDERS ARE JUST AS GUILTY!!! JUST .. AS ... GUILTY!! ZERO TOLERANCE AT ALL TIMES ON SCHOOL GROUNDS!!!!. Thankyou, have a good day and please countinue with your classes. " O.M.G. There like that all the time, even in other catholic high schools. I don't get why there like that cuz there is never fights or bullying at my school. So WHY are they like that in catholic schools?

A: Like, hazing is like not allowed in like public schools as well as like Catholic schools as well. It's called discipline. Schools in which the faculty exercise and maintain constant and complete control of the student body, will produce superior students. It's that simple. And with your own, like, words, you've, like, made my point, like, for me when you said: "O.M.G. There like that all the time, even in other catholic high schools. I don't get why there like that cuz there is never fights or bullying at my school. So WHY are they like that in catholic schools?"

Q: Do Catholic schools require you live within certain boundaries?
I work quite far from my home and I want my son to go to a catholic school closer to my job because I will be able to pick him up and drop him off. If he goes there it will also be better because I have family that can help me in an emergency situation, he will have class with his cousin, and the school is in a neighborhood I prefer. So would they give me an issue if I was honest about my home address???

A: Catholic Elementary Schools will usually give students who live within the parish boundaries preference in enrollment but does not completely block students from outside the parish boundaries. It might depend on how many were on the waiting list. Most Catholic High Schools draw from many Elementary Schools and so do not include parish boundaries in thier enrollment criteria. With love in Christ.