SCHREVEPORT (Diocese of Schreveport) - Happy New Year! The best way to understand what is happening in our Catholic Schools as we enter a new school year is to take a good look at the following four traits:

1. Catholic identity.

If your image of Catholic schools comes from the movie The Bells of St. Mary’s, you will be very surprised at them today. Formerly most teachers were priests or members of religious communities of sisters and brothers. Today, over 92% of the Catholic educators are single or married women and men. In a Catholic elementary school the typical teacher is a married woman over 35 years of age who has been teaching in the school for over 10 years.

When this change from priests and religious to single and married women and men began, people asked, “Will the schools remain Catholic?” Today Catholic schools continue to emphasize their Catholic identity. The priests and religious prepared their young teachers to take over the schools and keep them committed to their central mission of evangelization. Catholic school teachers know their subjects and teaching methods, have high expectations of their students and model the Christian adult.

2. Modern classroom arrangements.

A second change you will notice as you visit today’s Catholic schools is the instructional program. Formerly, the typical classroom had student desks lined up in neat rows. Little else was in the classroom except a blackboard. Today, the desks are usually grouped in clusters. About 15 to 20 students work in different areas in the classroom. Some students access information from the Internet. At another technology station, students e-mail students on the other side of the globe. Others watch a video. The teacher works with a small group in an instructional area near her workstation. An aide tutors one student. A few students complete assignments at their desks.

While the appearance of the schoolrooms has changed, the curriculum remains similar to what was taught 50 years ago. Catholic schools have always placed a high priority on the basics, with religion being the first of the four R’s. Catholic school educators still maintain that basic information needs to be committed to memory. Yet, emphasis is placed on understanding concepts, not just repeating rote formulas.

3. New administrative setup.

Years ago, pastors directed the schools and all aspects of the parish. Principals worked under their direction. Today, pastors oversee a variety of parish ministries. While they have ultimate responsibility, they are not the authority in every ministry. The relationship among pastors, principals and heads of other parish ministries is a peer relationship. Each person has expertise in the particular ministry but each works as part of a team.

Pastors and principals have come to rely on the talents of competent parishioners. School Councils develop the budget, recommend policy and offer advice. In today’s complex society, no pastor or principal is expected to know all the answers. The parishioners support the parish by the gift of their talents, which is a form of stewardship.

4. Changes in funding.

Forty years ago, Catholic schools did not charge tuition or, if they did, it was very modest. The expenses of the schools were minimal largely because the sisters and brothers worked for a modest stipend. They received enough to take care of their basic needs and to send funds to the motherhouse to support the novices and the retired members of the community.

Today, tuition covers almost 80% of the Catholic elementary school per-pupil cost. Parent-Teacher Organizations and good strong fund raising fill the gap.


Sr. Carol Shively is the Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Schreveport in Louisiana. Her article appears in the "Catholic Connection" of August 2008 and is used with permission.