The value of a Catholic school: priceless

As parents and teachers, we often ask children what they want to be when they grow up. As parents, we start thinking of the potential answer long before our children can answer for themselves. For many, the question was first asked at the child’s baptism, “What do you want for this child?” The answer, of course, has a depth beyond just the immediate response of “Baptism.” It is an emotional moment; we reflect on all that is to come for this child entrusted to our care. We want our child to be cleansed of original sin and marked as a child of God for eternity. We want this child to have heaven opened to them and to choose it for themselves by their faith and actions. We want this child to learn skills of all kinds to give them the best of options during their life. We want this child to have good friends that raise them up and help them to shine. We want this child to be loved by all and to love us in return. As faithful, practicing Catholics, we know that the sacrament will help us as parents put the child on the right path toward heaven. Our primary responsibility as parents to educate our children never ends, regardless of their age. But when they are young the education process is demanding, and we often need a community to help us. There is nothing more natural than raising up our children in the faith and incorporating that faith into all aspects of their education. It is for that reason that many parents choose Catholic Schools, to educate their child: mind, body, heart and soul. 

Students are recognized for their unique gifts and potential as a child of God and are encouraged to use those gifts for his people. Catholic schools have a long history of delivering excellence in education: a formation of the whole child in the light of Jesus Christ. Challenging but achievable standards and extensive study in core subjects inspires children to work toward mastery, which prepares students for academic achievement in high school, college and beyond. Our schools help students develop a love for learning, the unity of knowledge and the complementarity of faith and reason to engage ideas, spark innovation and be leaders in the community and in industry. As an evangelizing mission of the Church, our Catholic schools seek to ensure that students encounter the person of Jesus Christ through sacraments, prayer and high-quality spiritual formation and each other. Students learn about the lives of the saints and specifically about virtue, working day by day to acquire those virtues to take into their home, extended family and community, giving students the habits necessary to live responsible, productive and holy lives. Within this formative environment, students are encouraged to respond generously to the invitation to serve God, others and the common good. 

Parents choose this by exercising their exclusive right to choose what is best for their child. As far back as 1965, the discussion of school choice considering the parent’s role was taking place in Rome at the second Vatican Council. The document Declaration on Christian Education (Gravissimum Educationis), No. 6, states: “Parents who have the primary and inalienable right and duty to educate their children must enjoy true liberty in their choice of schools. Consequently, the public power, which has the obligation to protect and defend the rights of citizens, must see to it, in its concern for distributive justice, that public subsidies are paid out in such a way that parents are truly free to choose according to their conscience the schools they want for their children.”

The recent pandemic has shown parents that being engaged in the educational choices for their children is needed. Options are good. Many exercised this option and chose Catholic schools for the first time – and they are still with us three years later! For many of these parents, this was a huge sacrifice, but their conscience told them this was needed for their child to thrive, and they made it happen. They are not alone in their desire. Legislative efforts are being made across the country, and in Oklahoma, to honor and cherish the rights of parents to choose the best educational outcome for their child and to be able to receive the necessary assistance to do so, depending on the type of school option chosen. We support parents in making the best choice for their children, be it a Catholic school, homeschool, virtual school or one of the public or charter school options. A rising tide raises all ships. With school choice in place, we can truly serve the needs of our children. For additional information from research conducted in states with successful school choice options, visit the American Federation of Children’s website, federationforchildren.org/school-choice-in-america/research. We invite parents to tour one of our 19 Catholic schools during these next few weeks to see how your child can thrive with us next year. Let us assist you in carrying out your primary role of educator.