The big announcement came, after much anticipation and speculation,
and 49 schools in the Archidocese of Philadelphia will close or combine
at the end of this school year. It was a day of angst for many who
waited to hear if their schools were on 'the list' and the afternoon
brought sadness for all, even if their own school wasn't one that would
be closed. Sadness because Catholic education as we know it is forever
changed, and for many it will not be an option in the future. This is
not just a local phenomenon either, as Catholic schools throughout the
country are facing similar questions of closing and/or consolidation.
It
is particularly troubling from the angle of justice. Many of the young
children, particularly in the inner city, who depend on Catholic
education as an alternative to their neighborhood public schools will be
forced to attend the school district of Philadelphia, with a high
school graduation rate of 56% over four years. Now, when the Catholic
schools close or consolidate, there are alternative sites where the
students can attend (the schools that weren't on the list). But for
many, the distance to travel is too far or poses difficulty for parents
who may need to accompany their children to school. Additionally, many
of the economically disadvantaged students have received scholarships or
decreased tuition, which is becoming (or has become) a rarity in the
current economic climate in the Catholic Church. So, these kids are
left to fend for themselves, in schools where violence is a given on a
daily basis. They'll pass through metal detectors on their way to
homeroom. They'll sit in over-sized classrooms without sufficient
learning materials and try to be among the 56% who graduate. This
doesn't seem fair, or at least, it doesn't seem to be true to the
message of Jesus.
I was educated in public school up until high
school. But, I am fairly certain had I attended the public school in my
hometown, I'd be just as successful (if not more) than I am, having
attended a Catholic high school. I grew up in an area (at the time at
least-- they've been affected by budget problems, too) where the public
schools provided an excellent education in an environment that was
caring, loving, and an extension of our community. I am still friends
with some of my (public) grade school teachers on facebook and our
families regularly exchange Christmas cards. So I didn't have to face
the dire circumstances in Philadelphia public schools as a child. But
I've seen them firsthand when I was a social worker. It's not pretty.
It's depressing in many of the schools. And Catholic education provided
an alternative, a safer option, providing not just physical safety but
also a sense of stability and empowerment for kids who might not get
that at home.
Do we give up hope, then?
Well, just because
you asked... there is a wonderful new model of Catholic education about
to make its debut in Philadelphia that provides that element of hope for
the kids I am describing. The Cristo Rey Network will open the doors
of its first Philadelphia-area high school in September of 2012 to 125
freshmen. Cristo Rey is a coeducational high school, the product of
collaboration between various religious orders in the US to provide
affordable Catholic education and expose them to career opportunities to
populations of students who may not otherwise be able to attend (often
due to economic circumstances). Cristo Rey has a different model of
school, as students typically attend classes four days a week and then
work one day per week. Their placements provide job training, spark
curiosity for future career options, and help to defray the cost of
tuition for the students. The school day is extended and the school
year is extended, providing a community setting for students and their
families to be involved and benefit from this unique opportunity. Oh,
and their graduation and college acceptance rate? Um, 99%!
(check out their website) Yes. So there is hope, in the creative
vision of people who are seeking, living and advocating for the
voiceless. Thank God.
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