Finding the right school for your child is one of the most important tasks as a parent, and it usually comes with a lot of questions, especially if you’re considering a Catholic education. From academics and extracurriculars to costs and faith formation, we’re here to help you sort through some of the most common questions parents ask about Catholic education.
What makes Catholic education different from other private schools?
The core of Catholic education is teaching the whole child: body, mind and spirit. Alongside rigorous academics, the curriculum often places a strong focus on character education rooted in the Catholic faith. All of this is usually woven into a tight-knit community connected to the local parish. On top of a rich academic foundation, students also have plenty of enrichment opportunities and extracurricular activities to help them discover their interests and develop their skills. Catholic education involves a strong combination of academics, moral foundation and life skills to help students succeed in higher education and in life beyond school.
How is faith woven into the curriculum?
In Catholic schools, faith is woven into the curriculum and daily life in a few ways. First is religion class, where students learn theology, how to study the Bible and the foundations of the Catholic faith. Second is daily prayer, which encourages a daily habit of inviting God into their lives and turning to Him for guidance, strength and courage. Third is weekly Mass, which brings the entire school community together for worship and praise. At St. Charles Borromeo, faith is the foundation of daily life at our school. Through daily religion class and prayer, students are taught to keep faith at the forefront of their lives. During weekly Mass, students learn to grow in character by embracing the fruits of the Spirit.
What is the school community like?
The school community at a Catholic school is almost always warm and welcoming, rooted in shared values. Families come from diverse backgrounds and are united by a close-knit, faith-centered environment that encourages service, outreach and parent involvement. St. Charles Borromeo puts Jesus at the center of our school community, striving to live out the Gospel in how we treat each other, both inside and outside the classroom. It’s a school community where students, parents and faculty are supported and encouraged to grow together in faith.
What are the costs? Are there scholarships or financial aid opportunities available?
Tuition costs vary by school, and you can usually find information on the website or by contacting the school directly. Many Catholic schools are committed to making Catholic education accessible to students of all backgrounds, including those whose families have limited financial resources. Often, you can find grants, scholarships and other financial aid opportunities to help you cover tuition. For example, St. Charles Borromeo works with two scholarship funding organizations, Step Up for Students and A.A.A. Scholarship Foundation, to make our school accessible to every family in our community.
Aside from core subjects, what other learning opportunities do students have?
As much as strong foundations in core subjects are a huge part of Catholic education, there’s more to learn than math, science, language arts and history. Most Catholic schools offer a range of enrichment opportunities beyond the core curriculum. At St. Charles Borromeo, we seamlessly integrate art, music, technology, library and research, foreign language, and STEM into our curriculum. We also provide plenty of extracurricular activities designed to nurture our students’ interests and talents.
St. Charles Borromeo is an Orlando Catholic school that’s committed to proclaiming the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, our school believes in teaching the whole child, and it’s our mission to help students develop a love of learning and grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn about enrollment or contact us online to inquire about our school.