Conscience question - questionable school

[CDB1718]

I just looked up the school’s website. It looks like this is a common concern. Three of their FAQ questions are about religion and foreign teachers and another is what they mean when they say they teach character development. They say that 20% of their teachers are international teachers brought here on H-1B Visas because they can’t find qualified math and science teachers in the US. They put a strong emphasis on diversity and minorities.

hsadallas.org/subframes/faq.htm

I’d be more concerned with their academic scores. They say most of their schools are either “recognized” or “exemplary” which means they’re middle of the road with nothing brag-worthy, talk about their college “acceptance” rate and not application or attendance or graduation rate, then talk about their “attendance” rate on the SAT and not their scores. Their academics sound mediocre. And that was the best foot they could put forward.

You say you want it for challenging academics. Compare your local schools’ scores to this because a lot of TX public schools do better. Parochial school on a scholarship and homeschooling or private academy with partial homeschooling are other options worth exploring which can better meet your social and academic needs.

 

[couponfit]

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?

I agree to make a personal discernment from meeting with teachers during the info night and talking to parent sof other children. My hunch would be they are not interested in converting your kid but interested in having a school for their kids. Also not all Arabs and Persians are Muslim. I would look into it first before making a decision. Until you do if you like the school choice otherwise you can keep him on the list.

There are catholic and orthodox Arabs, so you can ask advice from the priest at the area church for his or her advice. They probably went into a discernment process already due to language familiarity and cultural familiarity so if they don’t go then you should not. They can explain why or why not. Look for Maronite catholic church or Coptic orthodox

 

[Baelor]

First, let us make something clear: many students go through public schools and come out just as fine or better than their Catholic school peers. Some come out worse.

You will ultimately need to make the correct decision for your children based on priorities and needs. For me, the decision was based on an academically stimulating environment, which ruled out the Catholic schools in my area and left an excellent private school. For my sister, it was being in a single-sex environment, and she attended a strong Catholic school (the only Catholic school at that academic level). For many parents and children, Catholic education is the way to go.

I would recommend really thinking about what is important to you and what your child needs – the answer may present itself quite clearly.

 

[Barbkw]

(On the website) They say that 20% of their teachers are international teachers brought here on H-1B Visas because they can’t find qualified math and science teachers in the US.

I consider that an illogical statement by this school and a blatant lie.

 

[faithfully]

I consider that an illogical statement by this school and a blatant lie.

I would agree with THIS statement 1000000%. Especially at the elementary school level. Give me a break! I happen to be related to some VERY amazing science instructors who KNOWS a a LOT more (Edit: Wait: They are Catholic and would never apply at such a school… MAYBE THAT’S the problem!)… All one has to do is actually LOOK!

 

[Luvz2travel]

In this day in age if possible I would only send my kids to catholic school. I would be willing to work three jobs if that’s what it too. I would pull your kid from the lottery sounds like it wouldn’t be a good place for him.

 

[chepner3]

I find your question interesting because I was about to post a similar question about sending my daughter to a “Christian” school. There is no Catholic school in our area and the public schools are awful. The only other options are two private Christian schools. One of these Christian schools is more strident than the other. This school requires that parents sign a “profession of faith” which is sticky since my husband is agnostic. Nothing in the profession of faith document is contrary to the Catholic religion but I read it knowing the underlying INTENT of the document and that it leans toward an unspecified Christian faith, not a Catholic one. However, this is a school where my child would thrive. She does best in a very strict and controlled environment with high expectations. The other school is Christian but so “new-age” in their policies one would hardly be able to tell. It is a school I would have loved to attend, but I fear it won’t be the best for my daughter.

So I’m having a lot of doubts about sending my daughter to a school that is decidedly “Christian” but not Catholic. My concern is doubled when I look around in the community and realize that Catholics are few and far between. She is most likely to develop friendships with Baptists and Methodists. While I don’t have a problem with her having friends outside of her religion, I just worry about the influence and her feeling isolated because she is the “lone Catholic” in her group. She is already receiving invitations from her friends to go to church with them, not me. That would only get worse if she was going to school with these friends and the activities are at the church associated with school.

To answer your question, I would research the snot out of that school and make every effort to look for alternative. Already my husband and I are talking about homeschooling again. I’m glad we have that option.

 

[creationlover]

I consider that an illogical statement by this school and a blatant lie.

I too am highly suspicious of this statement that they can’t find qualifiied science and math teachers.

 

[creationlover]

I find your question interesting because I was about to post a similar question about sending my daughter to a “Christian” school. There is no Catholic school in our area and the public schools are awful. The only other options are two private Christian schools. One of these Christian schools is more strident than the other. This school requires that parents sign a “profession of faith” which is sticky since my husband is agnostic. Nothing in the profession of faith document is contrary to the Catholic religion but I read it knowing the underlying INTENT of the document and that it leans toward an unspecified Christian faith, not a Catholic one. However, this is a school where my child would thrive. She does best in a very strict and controlled environment with high expectations. The other school is Christian but so “new-age” in their policies one would hardly be able to tell. It is a school I would have loved to attend, but I fear it won’t be the best for my daughter.

So I’m having a lot of doubts about sending my daughter to a school that is decidedly “Christian” but not Catholic. My concern is doubled when I look around in the community and realize that Catholics are few and far between. She is most likely to develop friendships with Baptists and Methodists. While I don’t have a problem with her having friends outside of her religion, I just worry about the influence and her feeling isolated because she is the “lone Catholic” in her group. She is already receiving invitations from her friends to go to church with them, not me. That would only get worse if she was going to school with these friends and the activities are at the church associated with school.

To answer your question, I would research the snot out of that school and make every effort to look for alternative. Already my husband and I are talking about homeschooling again. I’m glad we have that option.

Right now, if I had to make a decision on the spot, I would send him to public school and supplement with our homeschooling curriculum (Kolbe Academy). I will be praying for your family.

 

[creationlover]

I just looked up the school’s website. It looks like this is a common concern. Three of their FAQ questions are about religion and foreign teachers and another is what they mean when they say they teach character development. They say that 20% of their teachers are international teachers brought here on H-1B Visas because they can’t find qualified math and science teachers in the US. They put a strong emphasis on diversity and minorities.

hsadallas.org/subframes/faq.htm

I’d be more concerned with their academic scores. They say most of their schools are either “recognized” or “exemplary” which means they’re middle of the road with nothing brag-worthy, talk about their college “acceptance” rate and not application or attendance or graduation rate, then talk about their “attendance” rate on the SAT and not their scores. Their academics sound mediocre. And that was the best foot they could put forward.

You say you want it for challenging academics. Compare your local schools’ scores to this because a lot of TX public schools do better. Parochial school on a scholarship and homeschooling or private academy with partial homeschooling are other options worth exploring which can better meet your social and academic needs.

Thanks for your link and advice. The school does no better than our neighborhood school on standardized tests. At this point I am leaning toward staying put at the neighborhood school and supplementing with a Catholic curriculum.

 

[creationlover]

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!

Exactly. I am not comfortable with the impression it will leave and the message I will be communicating to him, which is why I started this thread in the first place. I need to hear from my Catholic sisters and brothers. I am not an island…

 

[Allegra]

I consider that an illogical statement by this school and a blatant lie.

They have to go outside of the country to get a qualified teacher who is willing to work for a charter school. People outside the country don’t know any better. Once they get here and get certification, they leave for a public school.