While each Catholic school is, in fact, unique, it is what makes us alike that defines who we are.
In my many years of serving in Catholic education, one observation stands out: each school believes it is unique, that there is no other school like it, and that its experience is difficult to understand outside its walls. This belief is rooted in distinct histories, traditions, and stories. My reflexive response to this statement is to want to push back on it. There are hundreds, even thousands of schools doing what we are doing in any context. How different are we really?
I have worked in four different Catholic high schools. I served a network of almost 100 schools. I have visited almost 50. The reality is that every school, with its own tapestry of experiences, contributes to Catholic education. Our uniqueness is our strength, but so is our shared commitment to nurturing and guiding the whole person.
As different as we are, what unites us is the unwavering commitment to caring for the entire person. The best Catholic schools are about this mission. Whether they are all boys, all girls, or co-ed (or co-divisional – see an upcoming post on this topic), they share a bond of desire to develop students in all ways, not just academically. In the Jesuit world, we call that cura personalis. It might be the most important concept I have ever embraced in my time in Catholic education.
This principle, rooted in Ignatian pedagogy, transcends the specifics of each school’s history. It is the thread that weaves through every classroom, hallway, and extracurricular activity.
Our schools might look different on the surface, with varying traditions, uniforms, rites of passage, personnel, graduation requirements, and the like, but we are all driven by a collective mission. This mission is to educate and form individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also compassionate, ethical, and ready to contribute positively to society. We are here to care for our students in a holistic manner.
While each Catholic school is, in fact, unique, it is what makes us alike that defines who we are.