This week is Catholic Schools Week in Boise and across the United States. It is a time to celebrate and appreciate the opportunity to attend a Catholic school. Catholic schools have a long and interesting history in our country. Almost simultaneously Catholic schools originated from Franciscan missionaries in Florida and Jesuit in the middle colonies. As the United States progressed from colonies to states, the school’s needs and objectives evolved.
In the years following the American Revolution, the country, being predominantly Protestant, structured the schooling and curriculum on the teachings of the Protestant Church. This was at times done at the expense of the Catholic children looking for and education. In response to the threats of prejudice, Catholic Church leaders decided to start their own schools to ensure a proper education founded in the beliefs of Catholics.
Between the 1830s and the 1960s, the number of schools and students increased. By around 1965 Catholic schools in America reached its all time high with more than 12,000 parochial schools. In addition, close to 50% of all Catholic children attended a Catholic School. In 2006, the number of schools is about half of that and the percentage of Catholic children attending Catholic schools is closer to 15%. Although this may seem like a significant drop, about 40% of all Catholic schools have a waiting list for incoming students and the needs in suburban areas continues to be high.
In Boise, we are truly blessed to have 4 parochial schools and a Catholic high school. It seems appropriate this year’s theme for Catholic Schools Week is “Faith, Academics, Service”. We are lucky to be part of a school which embraces our faith as we establish high academic standards and promote a community focused on providing service to others.
What do you think about your Catholic education? What would you say to someone who was interested in sending their children to St. Joe’s?
Jacqueline- I find Catholic education honestly very nice. It's cool to have my religion incorporated into my everyday learning career. If someone asked my opinion about sending their child to school at a Catholic school, I would tell them that I love it there and that if they want their children to grow up and be taught with a Catholic education, then there is no doubt i n my mind that it is the perfect place to be. :)
ReplyDeleteStephanie- I really like being a catholic. I like learning about all of the stories about Jesus and god and all the people they knew. I think it's great that we learn about chrit at school and we can actually study our religion at school without getting in trouble like kidsdo at public schools.I would tell them that it would be a reLly good idea to send their kids to St. Joes. It's a really great school and we learn lots here. I know that a lot of people that went to St. Joes went to bishop Kelly afterwards and found out that the teachers at St Joes really taught them so well that bishop Kelly was easy. I really do live this school and I will be upset when eighth grade year is over.
ReplyDeleterobert- i think having a catholic education is nice but dont you think some people would look at it a different way? i notice that when i say to people i go to st. Joes. so its annoying and i find it hard to retain my faith for days on end when all im believing are some words from a book possibly changed!?!? idk and idc but if hes out there why hasn't my life changed for the better? i fell no happiness when i sincerely pray to god. i feel no love rushing in and its been like this for the last 10 years since i could speak. and i try my hardest to pray but it doesnt seem to work. and if someone said they were gonna send their children to St. Joes id say go on ahead im not gonna stop you. Its a good school and some of the teachers are alright but im just not one of those lets pray before i sleep kind of people. especially with him watching us all the time...... shivers down my spine
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Jacob- I am really happy to have a Catholic education. Normally you would have all the other classes in public school and religion is a fun time to learn about God and you can step outside of the standard subjects. If someone was thinkinf=g about sending their child to St. Joes I would say awesome. St. Joes is an amazing place with great teachers who help you individually as well as the entire class.
ReplyDeleteRyan- I think that catholic education maters because it gives you something to believe in. It let you know more about your faith.You may not know that much about faith so catholic education.Im very happy to have a catholic education St.Joes is a wonderful school. We have a very nice science lab. But thats not what makes a good school it all depends on the students and the teachers. The teacher of st.Joes are nice and are reasonable with homework(especially with math).The students are nice and friendly to new and old students.
ReplyDeleteSena- I think my Catholic educaton is very good. I am very fortunate to have it and I am very thankful for it. I like that I can talk about my faith. If someone was intrested to going to catholic school I would say I LOVE CATHOLIC SCHOOL! Also I would tell them thats a smart move because they are great schools and your child will have a good education. You should send your kids to ST.JOES!
ReplyDeleteNissa *trekster*- I love going to St. Joes!!!! It is really great, since we have daily opportunities to pray and learn more about God. I mean, for me, it can be confusing since there are lots of revised holy books and prayers, etc. so it's a bit jumbled. But other than that, I really like St. Joes. It's not overly religious, like JOIN OR ELSE. It's open to everyone, which is really great. My parents always tell people about how great St. Joe's is, especially the teachers. JOIN ST. JOE'S!!!!! ^_^
ReplyDeleteAaron. I love having a catholic faith. It's so great to have it incorporated into school. If I could tell anyone anything I would say go to a catholic school 2day. R.I.P. STEVE APPLETON!!!!!!!!!!
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ReplyDeleteI think my Catholic education is nice. I like learning about my faith everyday at school. I like learning about the life of Jesus, the apostles,and the saints. These lessons have made me a better person in life. If anyone asked me if they should send their kids to a Catholic scoop I would tell them if they want to strengthen their children's faith they should send their kids to a Catholic school.
Kordell-K-dog
ReplyDeleteI love going to a catholic school you learn better things in a catholic schools. Learning about you faith is very special because not every school learns about there faith. If anyone asked me if there kids to a catholic school, I would say are you willing to send your children to a catholic school to learn about the catholic faith.
Matea- I think that Chatholic education is very important and wonderful. It helps you live a better life and be closer to God.I'm very glad that i can talk about my religon without getting in trouble. If someone wanted to send their child to a chatholic school, i would tell them. YES, if you want them to go to an awesome school,ST. JOES is the one for you.
ReplyDeleteAlli~ I think that a Catholic education is great!! At first I didnt want to go because when I told people that I was going to go to a Catholic school they laughed or said something about it. But I just ignored them, and I'm glad I did. I used to go to a public school, and I had a lot of friends. I've only kept in touch with 1 of them other than through Facebook, and I know that some of my friends like Julia, Dez, Macy, Alice, and so many more of my friends that I've met through Catholic school and its activities, are going to be friends forever! And if someone wanted to send their children to St. Joes, then I would tell them that it's a great school and that I think that it is awesome (expecialy the peolpe that you meet) and that even though I didn't waant anthing to do with it at first, I'm glad that my dad sent me there! :D
ReplyDeleteDillon- I think that catholic education is the best of the best in academics. It teaches you about God and what is important in life. Most people that go to catholic schools excel in life because they know what is important. Plus, they have a great education. Catholic schools also brings many more values, one of those is religion. In public schools if teachers talk about religion they get in big trouble. Here at catholic schools, they are encouraged to teach kids about their faith. If some asked me about sending their children to St. Joe's.... I would say absolutely, St. Joe's is the place to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteViNcE-i LoVe My CaThOlIc EdUcAtIoN. i ThInK tHaT i Am So LuCkY tO hAvE tHe OpPuRtUnItY tO bE a PaRt Of ThIs WoNdErFuL rElIgIoUs EdUcAtIoN. tO hAvE tHiS cHaNcE iS a BiG dEaL iN mY lIfE aNd I tHiNk It ShOuLd Be A bIg DeAl iN yOuR oWn LiFe AlSo. I tHiNk ThAt EvErYoNe ShOuLd Go To A cAtHoLiC sChOoL. iF sOmEoNe AsKeD mE aBoUt GoInG tO sT. jOeS i WoUlD sAy WhY aReNt YoU aLrEaDy GoInG tO sT.jOeS?!!! i LoVe St.JoEs.!! {^_^}
ReplyDeletebelle i loooooooooovvvvvvveee catholic school! st joes is somewhere where you dont have to be afraid to pray or mention God to your friends and teachers i think its an amazing privalige to sit for 45 minutes and just LEARN about God but also i think that being able to ask your teacher about God is sooo amaing beacause she will give us her best awnswer and not just say i dont know she helps us become closer with God and its amazing to be able to have him in my life (God that is ) st joes is a very special place im my heart it makes me feel like a huge fammily including the staff teachers all the kids and all the parents. and i think that that is our schools biggest accomplishment i think that on the last day of 8th grade it will be like leaveing a family and i think its going to be hard to do. if someone asked me if they should go to st joes id say that they should join the family and start here TODAY :)
ReplyDeleteCatie-I like my Catholic education. I know that my parents go through a lot to send me here. I like Catholic Schools Week brcause it's fun and different. It's also special since only the Catholic schools do it. I would say that they really should come because it's a fun experience and there's a lot of nice people and barely any drama.
ReplyDeleteDANIEL SABALA- i am very thankful for having a catholic education. i am mostly to go to st. joes because i know that i am probably getting the best education i can get and way better than public schools. i am also thankful for my parents and how they have given me a great education. i would tell people that st joes is way better than other schools and tell that person that if they go to a different school there is a 85.983 chance that your son/daughter will die at a young age. this statement would also prove that i have learned a lot in math and i study for stupid things just like that. i would also say that our teachers are great.
ReplyDeletenatalia-I really like my catholic education. I am thankful i ot the opportunity to go to a catholic school. i have so much fun going to catholic schools. I would tell someone that is sending their student to st joes that there are so many great teachers. You make friends so easily and you always have fun. we learn so much that public schools dont teach. st joes is the best school to send your child. you get so many great opportunities to meet new people from other catholic schools in boise by doing sports in middle school and it is really fun. st joes is awsome!
ReplyDeleteGabi- i love my catholic education i feel like im always challenged to be the best i can be and i love that. i feel like im am going to very prepared for the future beacuase i go to st joes school. if someone were to ask me about going here i would tell them i love it my best fiends are here and i love being with all of them. it also really prepares us for our future. it is an amazing school.
ReplyDeleteKatie H.- I feel soooo much happier at St. Joes and I feel challenged and I feel that I am able to do and be my best with a Catholic education. I know I will be able to succeed in wha ever path I choose in life. One of the other things that I have been able to experience at St. Joes is familiy. Everyone always looks out for each other and its easy to fit in because everyone is very welcoming. If someone asked me if it would be good if they sent their child to St. Joes I woould say YES because there is no other school that is awesomer!!!!!:))))))))
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ReplyDeleteSt joes is cool... There r nice people...you learn lOts and have a great education that prepares you well for your life.....there I's a 100 percent chance you will succeed in life with st joes.........if someone asked me about st joes I would say........join
Taylor- I love being Ina Catholic school. In Indianapolis, my brother didn't go to a Catholic school and my preschool wasn't too great either. This girl in preschool took a pair of scissors and cut off people's hair. Then the teacher gave the parents their kid's hair. It was weird. Indiana is weird. My friends from there are weird too. Anyway...I would tell someone coming to St. Joe's that this school is amazing. Everyone in your class will want to be your friend no matter who you are. There is the perfect amount of fun and seriousness in every class. All of the teachers are really nice and funny. You would learn so much at St. Joe's.
ReplyDeleteEmma- I love being at a Catholic school. Everyone is so nice and so close. I like how everyone knows everybody. I enjoy Catholic education because the teachers are so helpful if you are struggling in a subject, it is really easy to get into a class discussion and ask questions, and you don't have to be afraid of anything. St Joes is very aware of bullying which is ALWAYS good. If someone was touring our school I would defentely bring that up, also how everyone gets along and there are no major probelems, the teachers are great, and after your first day, you feel like you have been going to school at St Joes for years.
ReplyDeletePeter-I love catholic school you don't have to think about what you wear.Faith is a big part of my life and I think that catholic school suits me well because it allows me to learn more about my faith. I love the size of the classrooms because you feel like you know everyone better. We also get to do sports with all of my other classmates.I am really enjoying Science Olympiad. That is where you do different projects such as build catapults and learn about trees and there genus and species. When someone were to ask me about catholic schools I tell them that it gets you more prepared for collage and high school. I also love catholic schools week because I have the best teacher!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletemy catholic education is fantastic because it preps me for going to bishop kelly or any other school i would like.I would tell them to go here because it is amazing with really fun teachers and p.s. mr.grant no homework
ReplyDeletelast one is codys!!!
ReplyDeleteAlice*-I love my Catholic education because the teaching is so true and complete, like you always know what you need to know. I've heard that the some of the teachers at BK can even pick out some of the students from St.Joe's with out even knowing it. I feel prepared for tougher challenges that life might happen to throw my way. All the teachers are super awesome and make school an enjoyable place to be. If someone told me they were thinking about going to a Catholic school I would say definitely go you'll have a great time and learn a bunch of cool stuff, get in ASAP!!!!! :D
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