Catholic schools?

Question

We aren't catholic but I've started looking for a pre k program for our son. I was just wondering if anyone has had a good experience with Catholic schools. They are a little more expensive and we have fairly good public schools around here so I'm not sure if it's worth sending him there as opposed to another area preschool. It would make him easier to get him into elementary school at the same place but we aren't planning on staying here more than another 3 years tops while I'm finishing college. The finances arent a huge issue because tuition isnt totally unreasonable. I'm just looking for some pros and cons of sending non catholic (african american and baptist) child to catholic school. My son also is treated for speech delays so he would qualify to attend headstart as an alternative as well.

Answer 1

In my opinion:

Catholic schools provide a very good moral and religious base for children. As a rule they are also safer than public schools.

Educationally, most of them are above average. Although some are exceptionally good and a very few are bad. Your school or the diocese should have some test scores for comparison.

In general, Catholic schools do a good job with average and above average kids.

However the resources of most Catholic schools in the united States are limited. If students need extra attention due to being way over or way under average, then their needs may not be properly met.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I went to Catholic School from Kindergarten thru my 1st year of college, and I can tell you that the education is superior to the education my siblings received in public schools (well at least here in NYC). My older brother 2 grades ahead of me was doing the same work as I was. I am Catholic, so the religious teachings was not an issue. However, there are plenty of non-Catholic children who attend Catholic schools just for the excellent curriculum. My niece, who's mother is Muslim and is also being raised Muslim, will be starting the same Catholic school that I went to in the fall.

But, if your son is speech-delayed, a headstart school will probably be more beneficial to him. They will be able to focus on his delay, whereas a Catholic school cannot give such individualized attention.

Answer 3

African American is not a barrier in any sense - consider that there are a number of traditionally African-American Catholic churches (St. Alphonse Ligueri in St. Louis, MO for instance). Moreover, the foundations he'll be taught at his age are the same he'd be taught at a Baptist pre-school if there were one in the area. Really, at that age, Bible stories are about all they can really absorb. No one will try and talk to him about Papal infallibility or anything on which Catholics and Baptists disagree.

My in-laws have all enjoyed and benefitted from their Catholic educations greatly... even those who aren't Catholic. You'll find the teachers feel a sense of mission and purpose, and the moral upbringing will be strict and firm. I myself went to public schools (mostly because we lived in a district with outstanding public schools), but plan to send our children to Catholic education.

Finally, about tuition, check with your state's department of revenue or taxation to see if you can deduct private school tuition from your tax liability. There's no federal provision for it, but most states offer something.

Answer 4

I myself am a ex Catholic school girl and the experience and discipline is a great motivation fro leading a disciplined life.

Answer 5

I went to catholic schools because my family was catholic but we send my daughter and we're not practicing catholics. You can't beat the education for the price. The class sizes are smaller, the one on one attention and for us its about discipline. I strongly recommend private education.

Answer 6

If you think that is the best place, go for it. The religion is part of it, but at that age, the kids will be no better or worse off because of it.