During the second week of November, Catholic schools around the country celebrate Discover Catholic Schools Week. This week-long celebration sheds light on the unique advantages a Catholic education offers.

So, what makes the Catholic School Difference?

Faith-based instruction through experience

Students explore their faith through Scripture, Sacraments, Church, and morality. As a faith community, a Catholic education emphasizes service and charity, encouraging students to accept others, understand the difference between right and wrong, and commit to serving God by serving others.

One evening a year, Saint Joseph High School partners with Covenant House, a not-for-profit that works to alleviate homeless to raise money for homeless teens. The students, after gathering sponsorships, spend a school night outside in a cardboard box. The act of service raises money for Covenant House but also shows the students that acts of kindness bring you closer to God.

Archdiocesan Catholic schools stress the value of self-discipline and commitment. Faculty and staff are role models who share their faith, talents, and time.

While not all students attending Catholic Schools are Catholic, all share faith experiences and values. Catholic Schools encourage each student to accept the challenges of being a Christian in tomorrow’s world.

Values promoting understanding and service to the elderly, those with a disability, the poor, and the ill are vital to the Catholic School experience. As a faith community, Catholic schools emphasize values that encourage students to be inclusionary.

Relationships with God and the community

According to a National Catholic Education Association report (NCEA), Data Brief: New Students in Catholic Schools: 95% of parents said their child had a good or excellent academic experience at a Catholic school, 86% had good or excellent social experience, and 94% had a good or excellent faith experience. Ninety percent of the parents also said the communication they received from teachers was good or excellent.

The Archdiocese’s philosophy is that “a Catholic School recognizes the parents and family as primary educators and joins with them to form a living community of shared visions.” Catholic Schools encourage family input and involvement in the ongoing education of their children.

According to a National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report card, Students in Catholic schools discuss their experiences at school with family members more than any other group of students. Catholic Schools encourage family input and involvement in the ongoing education of their children.

Research[WJ1]  shows that such a partnership results in higher attendance rates and lower dropout rates.

Catholic Schools strive to create a strong bond among students, home, school, and church so that all share a powerful sense of community.

Recently, students in the Art Club and Environmental Club at Lacordaire Academy in Montclair teamed up to join a scarecrow contest. After winning first prize for their scarecrow created all of recycled materials, they donated the prize funds — $500 — to their favorite charity, the Ocean Conservancy.

Focus on school safety, character development, and academic rigor

For families of all backgrounds, according to the NCEA, a safe learning environment, strong character development, and a rigorous academic curriculum were the most crucial factors when choosing to enroll in a Catholic school.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Catholic schools across the nation prioritized returning to in-person instruction to benefit the students.

Academic excellence is a top priority in Catholic schools, and the data backs this up. According to the NAEP’s Spring/Summer 2018 report card, more Catholic school students, compared to public school students, scored at or above proficient in mathematics and reading in grades 4 and 8.

Caring and effective faculty and staff

Although parents chose Catholic schools due to the academic programming and character development, according to the NCEA, 46% of parents nationally highlighted the “caring and effective” faculty and staff as the best part of the school.

The Archdiocese of Newark takes pride in its excellent faculty and staff. Over the summer, Seton Hall Prep history teacher Julie Wester was chosen as the New Jersey Non-Public School 2022 Teacher of the Year. Wester was the fourth archdiocesan educator to receive this prestigious award since 2005.

Diverse and welcoming environment

Catholic schools celebrate diversity. A Catholic school is a tight-knit community with a place for everyone, regardless of income, ethnicity, religion, or race.

According to the Office of Schools’ most recent data, Catholic elementary schools within the Archdiocese educate a diverse group of students: 58% Caucasian, 23.6 Latino, 16% African American, 12% Asian, and 14% other groups or multiracial. For archdiocesan Catholic high schools, the enrollment breakdown is 59% Caucasian, 19% African American, 17.3% Latino, 9% Asian, and 13% other groups or multiracial.

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