Conscience question - questionable school

[creationlover]

I need a conscience check.

I put my child’s name in a lottery to be selected for a local charter school - Harmony Science Academy. As I understand, the school is publically funded, but also receives funds from a moderate Islamic organization. The school is taught by many teachers who are Islamic and wear clothing which represents their faith; it has an Islamic “flare” in tone (paintings, design, furniture, etc). There are teachers of different faiths to include Christianity and children of all faiths and backgrounds. They do not teach their faith (they can’t - it is publically funded) and it is academically challenging.

There has been some controversy surrounding the school; there are allegations they are biased toward hiring Islamic teachers and favoring contracts toward companies from the Middle East. At worst, some allege the school to have ties to radical Islamic groups. I seriously doubt it, but who knows?

I am tempted to pull my child’s name out of the lottery, or if he is chosen, turn down the offer. Why?

We have a good neighborhood school - I just want him to be challenged academically.

My child will be a fourth grader - very young. And children learn by not only what they hear but what they see. He will be immersed in an “Islamic” school that doesn’t teach Islam directly, but indirectly IMHO. There are Christians who teach at Harmony, but I have to be responsible for my own conscience.

The last thing I want is to be tied up in this if the school does have some immoral ties.

And what am I teaching my child, spiritually? Tolerance? Or that academic education is more important than faith?

I have visited a science fair they sponsored, and yes, it was impressive academically.

Thoughts?

 

[Barbkw]

My thoughts.

Locate a “school …taught by many teachers who are Catholic and wear habits which represents their faith; it has a Catholic “flare” in tone (paintings, design, furniture, etc). …”

 

[creationlover]

My thoughts.

Locate a “school …taught by many teachers who are Catholic and wear habits which represents their faith; it has a Catholic “flare” in tone (paintings, design, furniture, etc). …”

Unfortunately not in my budget.

 

[Barbkw]

Unfortunately not in my budget.

Can’t get a waiver to help with tuition?

 

[CDB1718]

My thoughts.

Locate a “school …taught by many teachers who are Catholic and wear habits which represents their faith; it has a Catholic “flare” in tone (paintings, design, furniture, etc). …”

Ha! How many of those are still around?

 

[Jingles]

Just because the teachers don’t teach their religion, doesn’t mean the students won’t. If the kids at the school are primarily Islamic, your child will learn the Islamic faith. If the school kids are secular, the secular faith… Catholic, the Catholic faith. So on and so forth.

Now ask yourself what views are easier to challenge at home; secular teachings or islamic teachings? As much as both don’t jive with Catholicism, one jives less. At least secular “values” are still rooted in Christianity. You aren’t going to find too many kids that vehemently argue about Santa or the Easter Bunny in Public Schools (unless you live in a Islamic community).

I went to a great academic college. The students shaped my world view… luckily they lead me from secularism to Catholicism.

 

[mini_me640]

Personally I would stick with the good neighborhood school and try to get him in gifted or other academic enrichment.

 

[Barbkw]

“My Daddy says that Jesus isn’t God and that Christians make up stories about him in your Bible.”

Public high school aren’t bad enough, now we have Islamic influenced elementary schools.

 

[creationlover]

“My Daddy says that Jesus isn’t God and that Christians make up stories about him in your Bible.”

Public high school aren’t bad enough, now we have Islamic influenced elementary schools.

So true…

 

[creationlover]

Can’t get a waiver to help with tuition?

That may be an option…

 

[Allegra]

I need a conscience check.

I put my child’s name in a lottery to be selected for a local charter school - Harmony Science Academy. As I understand, the school is publically funded, but also receives funds from a moderate Islamic organization. The school is taught by many teachers who are Islamic and wear clothing which represents their faith; it has an Islamic “flare” in tone (paintings, design, furniture, etc). There are teachers of different faiths to include Christianity and children of all faiths and backgrounds. They do not teach their faith (they can’t - it is publically funded) and it is academically challenging.

There has been some controversy surrounding the school; there are allegations they are biased toward hiring Islamic teachers and favoring contracts toward companies from the Middle East. At worst, some allege the school to have ties to radical Islamic groups. I seriously doubt it, but who knows?

I am tempted to pull my child’s name out of the lottery, or if he is chosen, turn down the offer. Why?

We have a good neighborhood school - I just want him to be challenged academically.

My child will be a fourth grader - very young. And children learn by not only what they hear but what they see. He will be immersed in an “Islamic” school that doesn’t teach Islam directly, but indirectly IMHO. There are Christians who teach at Harmony, but I have to be responsible for my own conscience.

The last thing I want is to be tied up in this if the school does have some immoral ties.

And what am I teaching my child, spiritually? Tolerance? Or that academic education is more important than faith?

I have visited a science fair they sponsored, and yes, it was impressive academically.

Thoughts?

I would say, find out more about it. I disagree with other posters that it is going to harm your child to be among children of a different faith. It could just as easily make your child’s faith stronger. Furthermore, it is good for children to be among a diverse group of people. That being said, I’m not a fan of charter schools. In general, they have a high turn around of teachers and only a select few demonstate a noticable difference in academic achievement. You may have found one of those select few, but I would caution you to really do your homework. An alarming percentage of charter schools fail before they even cycle out one class. How long has this school been in business?

 

[creationlover]

Personally I would stick with the good neighborhood school and try to get him in gifted or other academic enrichment.

That is where I am leaning. I also buy books from Catholic homeschooling sources and supplement at home.

 

[Barbkw]

I disagree with other posters that it is going to harm your child to be among children of a different faith.

I was harmed by 7th grade mythology class.

(Someone made up the Greek gods, someone made up the Catholic god.)

 

[Jingles]

In regard to it being a good thing to be in a diverse setting… that may be true with children who are well Catechized and strong in their faith. I find that most children, however, are not. Obviously mom and dad would know best.

Often times I see that the school environment and friendships tend to dictate belief systems more than the family does once the kids hit tween/teen years.

 

[creationlover]

I would say, find out more about it. I disagree with other posters that it is going to harm your child to be among children of a different faith. It could just as easily make your child’s faith stronger. Furthermore, it is good for children to be among a diverse group of people. That being said, I’m not a fan of charter schools. In general, they have a high turn around of teachers and only a select few demonstate a noticable difference in academic achievement. You may have found one of those select few, but I would caution you to really do your homework. An alarming percentage of charter schools fail before they even cycle out one class. How long has this school been in business?

The school has been around a while and is established and academically respected. We do teach our kids their faith, but I am concerned; the school is unapologetically Islamic in tone, despite the fact the Islamic faith is not taught directly.

 

[Jingles]

Allegra - I’m noticing you live in St. Louis. My parents live in St. Louis (they moved there when I was in college). I’m always impressed by how Catholic it is down there and how cohesive the population is in regard to their beliefs.

I used to live (and currently work) in one of the most concentrated Islamic areas in the country. It’s very different regarding influences than it is where you are from.

Maybe diversity has different meanings for us. Where I’m at, Christianity is a minority in many of the schools. In my experience, it can difficult for children to keep a Christian faith when most people say they’re faith is intolerant and bad.

I’m sure that’s why our opinions are so different. St. Louis is very nice. I love the Basilica!

 

[TheRealJuliane]

The school has been around a while and is established and academically respected. We do teach our kids their faith, but I am concerned; the school is unapologetically Islamic in tone, despite the fact the Islamic faith is not taught directly.

I would not do this.

As a Catholic, I would not do this. No, never.

 

[Allegra]

The school has been around a while and is established and academically respected. We do teach our kids their faith, but I am concerned; the school is unapologetically Islamic in tone, despite the fact the Islamic faith is not taught directly.

Do you live in a community that has a large Muslim population? If so, you may face an “Islamic tone” in the local school as well. Something to consider, at least.

 

[faithfully]

Unfortunately not in my budget.

Call the school associated with your parish. Explain that $$ is an issue. Ask what they can help you with.

I’ve been in major conversation with my local principal. She literally said she’d take up a 2nd collection to help with tuition if we didn’t get assistance.

$$ is NOT to be a reason… You may end up volunteering a bit extra, but it’s worth it!

I personally would either send my child to a public school where religion is not taught at all or Catholic. Absolutely NOT a school that will make a lasting empression on your child. That your child knows YOU sent him to. So, it must be ok!

 

[dixieagle]

I can think of no good reason to send a Catholic child to a school that is “unapologetically Islamic in tone” (or Hindu, Protestant, Buddhist, Jewish…)