Next week, St. Michael’s School, along with all the other Catholic Schools in our country, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week. It is a week where we reflect on the importance of Catholic education in our community, the values that unite us, and the effect Catholic education has on its graduates.
This year, more than ever, it has been apparent that Catholic schools are able to offer what other schools cannot. During this pandemic, Catholic school teachers demonstrated great dedication and commitment to their students. Catholic school teachers did not hesitate to return to the classroom to provide instruction for both In-Person Learners and Distance Learners. They learned how to be better instructors, better communicators, and better listeners at a time when everyone was a little bit afraid. They learned how to navigate new technology and assist their students with online learning platforms. They did not focus on their own health or the extra hours and energy they had to put into this new routine; instead they considered their job a vocation, and they carried out their role joyfully and with a smile. We owe a debt of gratitude to our health care workers, and our essential workers, and also most certainly to our teachers, who accepted the challenge without reservation.
Catholic schools have a long history of success, initially because of the herculean efforts of the priests and nuns who staffed them, and today because of the dedicated lay teachers who have taken up the mission. Catholic education in the U.S. came about because parents attempted to preserve and pass along their faith to their children. The first Catholic school was established in Philadelphia in 1783. After a flood of immigrants from Europe in the 19th century, Catholic education took off, reaching an all-time high of 4.5 million students by the mid-1960s. Today, there are 6,183 Catholic elementary and second schools educating nearly 2 million students. Catholic high schools boast a 99% graduation rate, and 85% of Catholic school graduates attend a four-year college (that number is much higher in the Diocese of San Diego). Based on the average public school per pupil coast of $12,756 annually, Catholic schools provide a savings of $22 billion each year. Catholic school graduates have a commanding presence in all aspects of society, including high-ranking government officials (our new president), members of the military, as well as Supreme Court justices.
We have a wonderful week of events planned for our students and staff (more information forthcoming). COVID restrictions will limit a few of our traditional activities (e.g., Walk-a-thon, Grandparents Day), but we believe our students will learn and appreciate why their Catholic school education is so very important.
Thank you for continuing the journey by choosing Catholic education for your child. If you know of anyone who might be interested in pursuing a Catholic education for their child, please have them contact Lisa Matens, our Admissions Director, at lisa.matens@smspoway.org as soon as possible. We are filling up fast.
Deo Gratias,
Kathy
