Should my son go to a private catholic school even though we are not catholic?

Question

My son is only a few months old but we are already thinking ahead to the future. We live in a small town and the school system is not very good. The only other choice is to send our little one to a private school. The only private school in the area is St. Vincent Catholic Church and School, which seems to be a great alternative. We are not a religious family and I personally think it will be weird. What do you think? Take the private school route or live with the public school system? Thanks!

Answer 1

Does the school have an open house day for you to get a feel for the place.
I have 2 sons 1 in Catholic, 1 in public, I myself am a theology teacher in a Catholic High School. I find catholic schools loving and all embracing place of learning. I teach students of many faiths, christian, non-christian, non-practicing, atheist. It is not our goal to proletize. I would never want to change anyones religion. Rather to give students (teenagers) a place to question and express their ideas. Its an oppurtunity not given in public schools. We can share understandings celebrations of Ramadan and Christmas.
But bottom line without the fuzziness they are a great place to learn. They education is great. The support system is non-political. Its parents taking care of kids your kids. You'll love it and so will your little one.Its not weird at all.

Answer 2

We also live in a small town in Ontario, Canada. My kids are Catholic, and we chose the Catholic school. However our other choice for the public school would have been mandatory French emersion. Some choice. The last choice was a 15 mile bus drive to a wee hamlet where they would know no one and be in a regular school.

I know that in our Catholic school that they will accept generally everyone after the catholic kids are enrolled. The non-Catholics have to do the christian practices, but do not do the churchy things. (Confirmation, etc.).

On the good note, the Catholics still say Christmas and have Christmas Concerts, etc., as opposed to nothing or holiday concerts. I find not being Catholic, with Catholic boys, that it isn't what is was 30 years ago.

Our school is about 80% catholic, the others mix in and we have a general body of 250 students, who all seem to get along well. Religion doesn't seem to matter to our youth as much.

For you, 5 years away, make sure you are in an area with young parents in an eco-system that you want to be in, and make your decisions from there. You are still a long way off in decisions..

I am totally the most non religious person, but I beleive for my kids, "a little religion never hurt anyone", let the children hear it all and then decide..

Good luck

Answer 3

I'm not catholic but taught in the catholic school system as well as the public school system. I found the catholic system was more responsive if there were problems , getting special needs testing done etc.

Frankly the religious education program is very good , of course your child won't participate in the first holy communion or confirmation programs and you'll be the one to have to explain why he isn't with his peers.

It's just my opinion that particularly in smaller towns the Catholic system seems to be better than the public system for elementary school but that's just my opinion.

Secondary school may be a different story.

Answer 4

I'm a single mother and I live in an area with a horrible public school. I've chosen to go with a private school. We are Christians but for me I do not attend church. My oldest has loved her private school. The education is excellent, the teachers are loving and see my daughter as a person and not a way of making money, and my little one has really enjoyed the learning of the religion.

I don't know much about catholic schools, only what I've been told by people who went to one. My daughter goes to a Baptist school.

However my personal opinion is that the education is one of the most important things you can give your child besides your love. It gives them the start to life that they need. As long as your child is not completly miserable then I say go for it.

In your particular case since your child is so long, you will be more interested in the teacher to child ratio. I've also sent my oldest to private daycare in a church environment and was profoundly happy as was she. I've sent her to other places and have had extremely bad experiences.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 5

Well if the public school isnt good then the Catholic school is an option as long as you understand that the child will most likely end up Catholic in his/her heart because it will be what they are taught when young.Or you could consider moving to an area with good public schools. Come live in Kalamazoo Michigan all public school children who graduate from our schools after going there all their school life get free college tuition. We have great schools and a wonderful town.

Answer 6

well, if you do go to St. Vincent's then prepare to become Catholic or at the very least, spiritual. Your son will get a good education but will also receive all the Sacraments at school. He may even want to go to mass on Sundays because at school he will learn that is where he is supposed to be on Sunday morning. It's like when kids learn smoking is bad for you and then are embarrassed or worried or anxious or all three because
their parent(s) smoke....oh yeah, you have to be baptized to attend a Catholic school....so get your son baptized while he is still a baby....

Answer 7

My son goes to a Catholic High School and we are not Catholic. It's actually a pretty diverse school and they have people of all faiths and no faith there. The school definitely has it's Christianity though. The kids go to mass and have religion class, etc. We sent him there because academically it was the best place for him and we did not have to compromise our beliefs to do so. I had a friend however who had to sign a belief statement (which was contrary to her own beliefs) in order to have her child attend a different Christian School. I would never do that.

Answer 8

I went to a private school for 8 yrs. To tell you the truth, it's no different then a public school. The kids are just as mean, if not meaner. I wasn't learning any more then the kids who went to public school either. It was ridiculous for my parents to pay that much for me and my siblings to attend a school where we could get the same education somewhere else for free.

Unless you know for sure that this school would be better than any public school, then I wouldn't go for it. It really wasn't worth the money when I attended private school. Maybe you could homeschool him. I was homeschooled from 8-12th grade and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I learned at my own pace, had more time for friends, and didn't have to waste 8 hours of my day at school.

Answer 9

You should put your son in the school you think will give him the best education and overall experience. I don't think there is anything wrong with putting him in a Catholic school, provided you feel the faculty is nurturing and not inclined to overly push religion.

Of course there are religious aspects to a religious school, that goes without saying. If you are raising your son to be open minded and accepting of all cultures & religions, the exposure to Catholocism probably won't be a big deal.

Answer 10

I wouldn't send my child to a catholic school because, while I am a religious person, I don't buy in to their particular traditions for practicing their faith. My children do attend public school and I volunteer in the school. A school can fail or succeed in the education of it's children based on the commitment of the parents to volunteer and/or raise funds for their child's school. Mind you, I'm not one of those fanatical PTO parents but I do believe that volunteerism is necessary in order for the public school system to function well.