by Lara Schuler, Senior Director of Catholic Education
Across the landscape of various education options, what is it that sets a Catholic school apart?
Plenty. And plenty of positives.
•Catholic schools offer students a comprehensive education that shapes their hearts, minds and souls by grounding students in theological teaching, promoting ethical and moral development and encouraging prayer through engagement with the sacraments and liturgy.
•Catholic education provides students with an opportunity to develop a personal relationship with God, creating an environment where they can explore their faith and grow spiritually.
•A quality Catholic education is deeply rooted in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, a rich and evolving body of thought that spans over two thousand years of theology, philosophy, literature, history, and science.
•The Catholic Intellectual Tradition provides a framework for understanding the world through the lens of faith and reason, guided by the teachings of the Church and its intellectual heritage. It provides a stable moral framework that helps students navigate the challenges of growing up in an increasingly secular society.
Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City are committed to the integration of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition into their curricula in ways that are both academically rigorous and spiritually enriching. At the heart of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition is the knowledge and understanding of the relationship between faith and reason.
Our Catholic schools encourage students to see the compatibility between the truths revealed by God through scripture and the natural world and those discovered through human reason. This approach to education emphasizes that reason and intellect, when informed by faith, lead to a fuller understanding of both the divine and the human experience in all areas of life.
Also, our schools integrate ethics into the curriculum – especially history, literature and religion – by teaching students to engage with questions of right and wrong, justice, human dignity and the common good from a Catholic perspective. This approach shapes students’ understanding of important moral issues, such as the sanctity of all life, Catholic social justice concerns and stewardship, assisting them to become morally responsible individuals who are committed to justice, compassion, and the dignity of all people.
Additionally, science and math are taught not only as the study of the natural world, but also as a way to appreciate the order and design of creation itself. Teachers help students understand that scientific inquiry and the study of number can reveal the majesty of God’s work in the world, to deepen their understanding of the universe on a much deeper level. In this way, Catholic schools do not just impart knowledge but are conduits to cultivate wisdom.
Overall, our Catholic schools prepare students to not only succeed academically, but to inspire them to strive for heaven by living out their faith in daily life and contributing meaningfully to society.
Could a Catholic education be the right choice for your family? Families interested in enrolling in a Catholic school can reach out to a Catholic school near them to request a tour and to get more information.
Affording Catholic School There are several ways to make a Catholic education more affordable. The Parental Choice Tax Credit program provides a refundable income tax credit of $5,000-$7,500 for eligible Oklahoma Taxpayers who pay, or expect to pay, qualified expenses such as tuition and fees to an eligible private school on behalf of an eligible student that attends or plans to attend an eligible private school during that tax year. The Parental Choice Tax Credit portal will open on Feb. 18. For more specific information, go to parentalchoice.ok.gov.
Another opportunity is to apply for funding from the Catholic School Opportunity Fund. Students do not have to be Catholic to receive this assistance, however, they do need to be accepted into an accredited Catholic school within the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. To qualify for assistance through the Catholic Schools Opportunity Fund, a family’s 2023 tax return must report adjusted gross income within the accepted income levels for family size. Families apply through their local Catholic school. More information can be found on csofok.org/FAQ.
Lastly, parishes and schools, dependent on their resources, may be able to assist a family who does not qualify for either of these opportunities. Anyone needing assistance getting connected to a Catholic school can reach out to the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Department of Catholic Education or communications@archokc.org.