ITA with most of the post except the part about it being effective to have non-Catholics as an evangelical tool. I don’t know the stats either, Amelia. Seems to me, personal experience, that those who can’t afford tuition shouldn’t be attending the schools and those of us pay for those who can’t or won’t, just like everywhere else.
As for the schools accepting non-catholics, it happens mostly in low income areas. And we, those who can pay full tuition, end up paying for those who can’t. Parish schools are more independent. The parish/school principal controls most of it. Now let’s look at the high schools, prep and diocesan high schools. Tuition is astronomical. Anywhere from above $10,000 for the few high schools to $20,000 for the prep high schools. And that’s per year.
Sure, some low income families get a free ride at the expense of the rest of us. We are paying for those going free. My oldest tested so well she got a free ride to Bishop Eustace Prep. 4 yr high school education tuition cost about $60,000 for 4 yrs. It would have been an option if it was as good as the local public high school. She got a free ride because of her gpa and test scores. Good school but not as good as the local public high school. The latter had more to offer and we really liked the levels, which Catholic high schools don’t do around here.
Catholic grade school tuition (and high school) is astronomical for those of us who work and have to pay it. I don’t blame the schools or the Dioceses. But, we do pay for those who are low income, etc. Right now I pay over $700 per month for my two youngest for Catholic grade school. IT was more when all 4 were there. Approximately $7,000 per year for the two now. I can’t imagine anyone paying that who doesn’t make the money my husband does.
those who can’t afford tuition shouldn’t be attending the schools and those of us pay for those who can’t or won’t, just like everywhere else.
Twink, I can see your point about not wanted to finance others with your private school tuition, especially when you're already paying public school taxes as well...
Looking back at the history of Catholic schools, when they were started in this country, the Protestant religion was being taught in the public schools, and the Catholic church wanted all Catholic students to be able to attend a school where they learned their religion and not a different one, so the idea of subsidizing low income Catholics originated with the origination of Catholic schools in the U.S. Do you think that idea has outlived its usefulness?
I don't really know about in the north, but I know that here in the south (at least when I was a child) the Catholic church seemed ahead of others in terms of "social justice" issues...it was the only church I was aware of in my home town where blacks and whites worshipped together.
Of course, before and just after the Civil War, the other churches were also integrated, but in many cases the black members chose to split off and form their own churches (possibly/probably because they felt they were being still treated as slaves by the white members) but it would have been more difficult to split off a Catholic church I'd think...