What is a Catholic School?

A Catholic school is a school run the Catholic Church that aims to provide a thorough education in religion and theology in addition to a traditional education. Participation in the sacramental aspects of the church is also strongly encouraged, if not enforced, in Catholic schools. These schools are widely available and can be found all over the world. Catholic schools are available at all levels of education, from preschool to college. Because Catholic schools are not funded the government, they are generally quite expensive.

While a Catholic school’s religious focus is often strong, it does not always come at the expense of other aspects of education. Most Catholic schools hire only the most qualified teachers and follow a strict curriculum. Athletics and other extracurricular activities, just like in secular schools, are an important part of almost every Catholic school. Many Catholic schools place a greater emphasis on discipline in order to improve their students’ character. Students are frequently required to wear uniforms or at the very least follow a strict dress code.

At a Catholic school, how non-Catholics are treated can be a source of contention. Because most Catholic administrators are eager to spread the faith, there are very few Catholic schools that do not allow non-Catholics to attend. In general, however, the rules of the Catholic school will state that all students, including non-Catholics, must attend religion classes and participate in other religious activities at the school. This usually entails going to mass and other religious services.

Mandatory religion classes usually make up the majority of a Catholic school’s religious education. Christian morality, Bible studies, and ethics are among the topics covered in these classes. The curriculum is sometimes determined the diocese, or administrative area, to which the school belongs. Other times, it is up to the school or the individual religion teachers to decide what is taught. The classes are designed to not only educate students about church doctrine, but also to guide them in living good Catholic lives.

The majority of people’s main gripe with Catholic schools is the cost. Many potential students are unable to attend due to the high cost of attendance. The school may be able to provide substantial financial aid in some cases, but this is not always the case. When such assistance is unavailable, Catholic schools may become exclusive, catering only to those with a certain level of socioeconomic wealth. This can lead to a lack of diversity, which many believe contradicts the church’s message of acceptance.