Tag: national catholic educational association

On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

A dozen reasons to choose Catholic schools

This time of year always brings me a feeling of excitement, because school is starting again.

Even though I haven’t attended school for years, I still remember my own 12 years as a student in Catholic elementary and high schools in La Crosse, Wis. Those were happy years for me in so many ways.

Likewise, I enjoyed participating as a parent with our own children when they attended Our Lady Queen of Peace Elementary School and Edgewood High School in Madison. I know that they, too, appreciated their time at those schools.

Read More
On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Catholic schools are a gift to our nation

My 12 years of education at Blessed Sacrament Elementary School and Aquinas High School in La Crosse prepared me well for life.

I received an excellent academic education, but more importantly, I learned about my Catholic faith and how to put it into practice in serving others.

Gift to our nation

But while my education was good for me personally, I didn’t realize at the time that our Catholic schools are also a gift to our country.

Read More
On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Why service matters in Catholic schools

During my own 12 years of Catholic school education, students were encouraged to be involved in service projects at school, in our parishes, and in our communities.

I can still remember Aquinas High School students in La Crosse in 1965 sandbagging along the Mississipi River. Severe flooding had caused the river to crest at 16 feet, nearly four feet above flood stage. Many students came out to help save the community.

Read More
On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Up to the challenge: Catholic schools instill love of service in their students

csw-logo

Back in 1993, my husband suffered from a herniated disc and had difficulty walking. Our son, then age 15, spent most of the summer taking care of his dad.

Looking back, I realize our son probably didn’t have as much time for fun activities with his friends that summer. He also had a part-time job, so much of his time was spent taking care of his dad or working. Yet I don’t remember hearing any complaints. Our son did it all cheerfully.

Service part of Catholic school education

I think part of the reason for our son’s acceptance of these responsibilities was due to his Catholic school education, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Elementary School and at Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (EHS), both in Madison. Service was part and parcel of Catholic education.

For example, Edgewood requires 100 hours of service as a graduation requirement. According to the school, the majority of EHS students more than double this requirement, with some giving more than 1,000 hours of service during their high school years.

As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week January 26 to February 1, Catholic schools are being challenged to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this observance by pledging 40 hours of service to their local communities. The challenge has been issued by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Read More
On
Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Opportunity knocking: Catholic school answers the call by recruiting Hispanic students

Although there are still many strong Catholic schools across the United States, trends show a continuing decline in the number of Catholic schools and students attending those schools.

According to data from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), in the past 10 years, the number of Catholic schools across the country has decreased by 23.8 percent from 8,114 to 6,841. The enrollment in Catholic schools has dropped by 23.4 percent from 2,320,651 to 2,031, 455.

Most of the enrollment decline has been experienced at the elementary school level. It is estimated that there are almost 700,000 empty seats existing in Catholic schools.

Number of Hispanic Catholics growing

The number of Hispanic Catholics in the United States is growing by leaps and bounds. Hispanics now comprise 35 percent of all Catholics and 67 percent of practicing Catholics aged 18 to 34, according to a Notre Dame report, To Nurture the Soul of a Nation: Latino Families, Catholic Schools, and Educational Opportunities (December 2009).

According to the report, only about three percent of Hispanic students currently attend Catholic schools. Many families would like to send their children to Catholic schools, but they think they can’t afford to do so.

Read More
On
Mary C. Uhler, editor

Congratulations, graduates! Catholic schools have prepared you well

This is the season of graduations. Students, family members, friends, and teachers are celebrating graduation from pre-schools, grade schools, high schools, and colleges.

It’s a time of great joy mixed with some sadness, as students celebrate their accomplishments but also leave behind the familiar and venture into the unknown. Parents of high school graduates especially find themselves looking forward to their children growing into adults and possibly leaving home for college. Some parents may face the empty nest with trepidation — and others may high five their spouses!

Read More