MADISON — Last year, a new “sanctuary for Christ-centered Catholic education” opened in Madison.
Divine Mercy Academy opened its doors to school children ages three to 12.
The school was born out of efforts from school families, many of them whom homeschool, in the southwest part of Dane County to create a “Catholic Classical Montessori school.”
About Montessori education
School head Katie Haun explained that at Divine Mercy Academy, the school uses the “rich pedagogical (teaching) methods of our faith in the Montessori and Classical methods of education. Throughout their time, the children at Divine Mercy Academy encounter the richness of the Catholic faith that is intrinsic to the methodology of both.”
The Montessori method of education was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, a Catholic Italian physician in the early 1900s.
Her child-centered method provides an environment where children are able to practice independence, freedom, and responsibility fostered through a multi-age classroom.
Haun said that at Divine Mercy Academy, “The learning environments have a mix of both individual and collaborative work, guided by a trained teacher.”
She added that, “The Montessori method is blended with the Classical method in our older upper elementary environment.”
Teaching the faith
In addition to school learning, the Catholic faith is emphasized and taught at the school as well.
“The Montessori method reaches its fullness in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, religious education using the principles of Montessori,” said Haun.
Divine Mercy Academy offers Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for all ages.
Every learning area has the Image of Divine Mercy or other Catholic art and symbols. There is also a prayer or quiet area for all of the students to make use of.
Mass is celebrated at the school by area priests including Fr. Steve Brunner, pastor of Christ the King Parish in McFarland, along with occasional visits from Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison.
The school also features a chapel area for prayer.
“We love the Church. We are the Church,” says the school’s website.
It goes on to say that, “As an independent Catholic academy, we want to serve the Church by providing a mission that serves families and faithfully represents the values and virtues of our Catholic faith through the liturgy, Scripture, prayer, and the sacraments.”
It adds, “Our sanctuary of education is directed and driven by trust in Christ.”
For more information on Divine Mercy Academy, including on how to support the school, go to www.divinemercyacademywi.org
In the next issue, a deeper look inside Divine Mercy Academy.