Did you know that 1.5 million children were enrolled in preschool this past year? For those who are considering classical Catholic schools as an option for their children but are not quite sure, there is recent research that demonstrates significant benefits to this educational model.
An Important Study
In a study entitled The Good Soil Project, the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) system and the University of Notre Dame teamed up in 2019 to determine how alums of classical Christian schools benefitted from their education. Are individuals who graduated from classical Christian schools smart and faithful people making a real difference in this world? You bet.
Findings
The researchers grouped their findings into seven categories: College and Career, Life Outlook, Christian Commitment, Christian Lifestyle, Traditional and Conservative, Independence of Mind, and Influence. The research found that alums of classical Christian schools, compared with those of public schools, parochial Catholic schools, private prep schools, and even homeschooling:
Were the most prepared for college and, therefore, starting a career afterwards
Had the most positive life outlooks in terms of life fulfillment and satisfaction, attaining their goals, trusting others, and maintaining strong friendships
Are very involved in their communities and churches, as they frequent religious services, attend religious gatherings, and many are leaders in their churches
Live with faith in mind, as they frequently tithe, talk about God with their families often, send their own children to religious schools, have good marriages, and volunteer
Hold traditional and conservative views and follow the Bible and teachings of their Church
Are independent thinkers
Desire to help others and change the world for the better, as they involve themselves in community and governmental matters
Understanding the Study's Findings
The study's findings demonstrate that students with a classical Christian education will benefit over the long term in terms of their spirituality, faith, family, career, and community involvement. Here's how.
When parents choose to send their children to a classical Catholic school, they are giving them a foundation in faith. At any stage of a classical Catholic education, from preschool all the way to high school, students are formed through the integration of academic subjects and Christian truth. Every class and every school activity has one purpose: to form the whole child in the image of God and to draw him into a relationship with God who created the world and gave it meaning. This interweaving of academic content with Christian truth gives children the ability to grow as a disciple of Christ and share that faith throughout the world, and to see the world within a distinctively Christian context. They are able to discuss their beliefs freely with their counterparts, whether it be in their churches, their communities, or their workplaces.
Classical Catholic schools also promote the development of strong character and virtue. They instill values that are centered in Christ throughout everything the students do, from academics to athletics. Teachers consistently emphasize personal integrity, as students learn that their Christian faith imbues all that they do each and every day of their lives.
Benefits of a Classical Christian Education
This study demonstrates that classical Christian education offers numerous benefits. Students are, therefore, able to navigate life with a solid foundation in faith and a commitment to living their Christian beliefs in all they do. Now let's explore some of the main benefits children and families can get from this faith-centered approach to education:
1. Reinforcement of Values
Parents can count on classical Catholic schools to teach and reinforce the family’s values and beliefs because they come from the same source. Teachers will help children strengthen their practice and understanding of important values such as faith, love, family, compassion, integrity, respect, service, truth, justice, forgiveness, and hope. These values are the framework for the lifelong learning and spiritual journeys of the students. This alignment between home and school life ensures that children receive a consistent message about the importance of these virtues, allowing them to internalize and apply them in everyday situations. This shared moral foundation encourages respectful interactions, a deep sense of empathy, and a commitment to serving others, which are crucial for building a just and compassionate society.
2. Greater Academic Achievement
As mentioned in the findings of the The Good Soil Project, those who attended Catholic schools were the most prepared for college. Many Catholic schools provide a stable and continuous educational environment from Pre-K through 12th grade. This structure allows children from the same family to attend the same school, fostering a sense of stability and community throughout their formative years. Additionally, the academic philosophy, rigorous curriculum, and high educational standards in Catholic schools lead to higher academic achievement, standardized test scores, and college acceptance rates.
It's also important to note that classical Catholic schools tend to have smaller class sizes compared to public schools. This allows the teaching staff to provide more personalized attention to each student, enhancing the learning experience and allowing greater academic progression.
3. Spiritual Engagement
We often hear children asking big questions about the meaning of life and the world. They wonder who made the earth, how powerful God is, who created the animals, where we come from, and more. These questions reflect children’s daily observations, their sense of curiosity, and thinking about spirituality. As addressed by researchers, spirituality is an important part of students' holistic development linked to autonomy, compassion, resilience, responsibility, and well-being. This is why another great benefit of Catholic school education is the potential for students to grow and develop their faith through spiritual engagement. Students at classical Catholic schools typically attend church more regularly, pray daily, and donate more consistently. All these activities help design a child's ongoing pursuit for his/her place in the universe and also impact their behavior and actions upon themselves and others.
Visit a Classical Christian School Today
As you can see, classical Catholic schools offer an educational experience unlike any other. The findings from The Good Soil Project show the benefits of classical Christian schooling. If you are interested in learning more about how a classical Christian education can benefit your child for the rest of his or her life, visit Regina Pacis Academy to obtain more information and have all your questions answered.
