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This is a question we receive from many non-Catholic parents looking for a private, Christian education for their children. The answer is “No, your child does not have to be Catholic to attend our school.”
They want their children to receive a Christ-centered education where religion is openly taught and where prayer and other religious practices are encouraged. Through a religious education, they want their children to develop and deepen their own faith. At MDG, we focus on Catholic identity in all aspects of our curriculum.
Historically, Catholic schools exist predominantly to educate children from Catholic families, but in recent years, the Catholic church has advocated a more inclusive approach to Catholic education. The Church now welcomes children who are socio-economically disadvantaged, those who are from indigenous or multicultural backgrounds, those who have special educational needs, and those who have faiths other than Catholic. In fact, nationally, about one-fifth of students in Catholic schools are non-Catholic, according to the National Catholic Educational Association. And, this number often increases in inner-city Catholic schools where 70% to 80% of students are non-Catholic.
Reasons Why Parents Send Non-Catholic Children to Catholic Schools
Research shows that families from different faiths choose to send their children to Catholic schools for a variety reasons, including:
They want their children to learn and practice a set of moral principles in the classroom every day, not just at home. They want their children to exposed to good role models within the school, like teachers and staff, who actively live their faith and beliefs and demonstrate strong moral values.
They want their children to be taught in a safe environment where discipline is provided.
They want their children to receive (what they perceive to be) a better education at a Catholic school based on academic excellence. Many parents want their children to have more teacher-student interaction in smaller classrooms. Another reason is that, overall, 97% of students who attend Catholic schools graduate and 76% of these students attend college. Therefore, parents want their children to receive an excellent education that takes them into their adult years and beyond.
They may want their children to receive a more-focused education in science, technology, Religion, engineering, arts and mathematics (STREAM), which many Catholic schools now offer. At MDG, our preschool through 8th grade students are exposed to STREAM educational approaches every day in our classrooms.
They want their children to learn to serve their community, which many Catholic schools emphasize.
They want their child to become part of a special school community where the focus is on the Gospel and everyone feels like they’re part of a family.
What to Expect When You Send Your Child to a Catholic School
Your child will receive an excellent curriculum in English, math, science, history and social studies. However, what sets Catholic schools apart is that faith is integrated into the curriculum. MDG also emphasizes the liturgical seasons of the Church year by having special activities and events, such as Stations of the Cross, Seder Meals, and Advent celebrations.
Additionally, your child will attend religion class and pray daily, typically, in the mornings and before meals. Once a month, your child will attend school-wide Mass, although non-Catholics don’t partake in Communion. Our faculty and Catholic students will offer your child guidance during these activities, such as when to stand and sit during Mass.