Five Reasons for Catholic Education

5 Reasons for Catholic Education

Saint Joseph’s Catholic School

5 Reasons for Catholic Education

Bryan Haffey

Saint Joseph’s Catholic School

Catholic education is rooted in a Christian anthropology. We recognize that to thrive, we need to develop our students academically, physically, and spiritually.

1. An Incarnational Understanding of Reality

The Catholic school is organized by a distinct view of reality. We understand creation to be good, intelligible, and a sign of the presence of God. For this reason, we believe that the study of the world should be approached with a sense of wonder, deep curiosity, tand from

a position of faith. Grace reaches us through the physical world, and we strive to educate our students in how to be more open to the movement of God in their lives.

2. An Apprenticeship in the Life of Faith

The Catholic school is fundamentally a community of faith. The rhythms of our days and weeks are rooted in the wider life of the universal Church. Beyond their classroom studies, our students learn what it is to live as members of a faith community, as members of the Church;

to participate in liturgical prayer, to observe its rituals, to center one’s life on Christ, and to be oriented toward the needs of others.

3. An Education in Service

Research has indicated that graduates of Catholic schools are more civically engaged than those of any other form of educational institution. In light of our Christian calling, we recognize that the education we receive is not for our own good but to serve Christ and, in turn, those who are most vulnerable among us.

4. The Biggest Goals

We believe in developing all of the capacities given to us by God: physical, intellectual, and spiritual. We believe in developing students who desire and are capable of changing the world. We also believe that there is a deeper, eternal calling that underlies our career choices and community en-

gagement. We aim to cultivate in our students an openness to that calling and the tools needed to discern it with even greater clarity.

5. A True Whole Child Approach

As we strive to maintain best practices with regard to our pedagogy, we recognize that the student is also a spiritual being with religious desires. As Catholic educators, we acknowledge our tremendous responsibility to accompany our students in their individual journeys to find their fulfillment in Christ.

Bryan Haffey is the Dean of Academics at St. Joseph’s Catholic School. He has been a teacher, coach, chair, and administrator in Catholic high schools for the past 18 years.