If your faith is important to you, then you may be looking at the possibility of sending your children to catholic school. Catholic school can be a great way for your children to have a well-structured education, and learn the spiritual principles of the church in the process. However, some parents might still be wary of catholic schools, mainly because of the stigma that surrounds them.
Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of sending your children to a catholic school so you can make the right decision.
Pro – Their Education Will Not Clash with What You’re Teaching at Home
If you send your children to a public school or a non-faith based private school, you have to deal with the reality that the teaching staff may have very different beliefs than yours. And you have to deal with the fact that your children might end up getting influenced by their way of thinking.
With a catholic school, you’ll make sure that everything they learn in class is congruent with the faith.
Con – They Can Be Rigid
Part of the stigma associated with catholic schools is actually true, and some catholic schools can feel a bit more rigid compared to public schools. However, this is not always the case with all catholic schools, and many are taking a much more modern approach.
For instance, the Visitation Catholic School follows the Montessori method which takes a whole different approach to learning.
Montessori schools focus more on nonlinear teaching. They are more focused on the student than on the teacher and push dialogue and exploration. So, don’t assume that all catholic schools are the same and look more in detail into their approach before you make a judgment.
Pro – Friends in the Faith
It can be almost impossible to shield our children from the influence of their friends, and you can’t choose who they’ll become school friends with.
However, what you can do is control their environment and make sure that your children are around people who are also being brought up in the faith.
This will not only ensure that they won’t be introduced to things that are incongruent with the church, but it will make sure that they can build a social circle and not feel excluded because of their beliefs.
Con – It’s Not for All Children
You also have to accept that your child may not want to go to a catholic school.
Others might have difficulty thriving there. This is why you should also have a discussion with your child if they’re older. You should also introduce them to different types of catholic schools to see if they would be more appealing to them.
Catholic schools can be a great option for a family who wants their child to learn in a faith-based environment. If you are considering the option, it’s important that you look into them in detail, and ask others what their experience was like.
