Benefits of Catholic Education

 The heart of the mission of St. Bernadette School is "providing high-quality education that develops the intellect, inspires the spirit, and guides students to do what is right and just." The dedicated faculty and staff at St. Bernadette School work tirelessly to achieve this aim, but they do not work alone. For over 17 years, parents and friends of St. Bernadette School have partnered with us in the pursuit of this mission through their generous support of the School.

 Catholic schools provide a values-based education, rooted in the mission of the Catholic Church.  Catholic education is focused on the whole child: mind, body and soul.  Coupled with small class sizes St. Bernadette School strives to meet the needs of all students.  Catholic schools support our children, families, communities, the nation, and the Church in ways other schools cannot.  And today more than ever, they need our support.  Why should we champion Catholic schools?  Here are four reasons--and there are certainly more! 

1. Catholic schools provide religious and moral formation in a world badly in need of Gospel Values.
2. Catholic schools excel in offering high quality education, particularly to those most in need.

   "Catholic schools have shown unparalleled success in educating children, promoting a lifelong commitment to faith and virtue, and encouraging civic engagement. While government leaders look frantically for programs and initiatives to improve education in America, Catholic schools maintain their track record of serving children and families admirably well, closing the achievement gap for poor and minority students, and doing so at a fraction of the cost of public schools."   ACE Advocates, Notre Dame University 

       3. Catholic schools are the responsibility of the entire Catholic community. 

             " Faced with a dominant culture that was hostile to their values, the Catholic community in America built schools that would allow their children to grow in knowledge and faith – as good Catholics and good Americans. And with sweat, resolve, and prayer, these immigrants built the largest system of private schools the world has ever seen. For over 300 years, the Catholic community in the United States – not just pastors or parents – has championed our schools. Despite waiting lists at nearly 25% of our Catholic schools, 500,000 fewer children are benefiting daily from a Catholic education, and our communities have lost over 1,000 schools over the last decade."    ACE Advocates, Notre Dame University  

       4.  Catholic schools are essential to the health of the Church and our democracy - they nurture the soul of our nation.  

 Imagine the Church without Catholic schools?  For those who question how we can continue to make investments to support and grow Catholic schools, we ask How can we not?  Without the continued support of those who truly believe in the power of children educated in an environment permeated by faith and Gospel values, Catholic schools will not succeed.  Our generation cannot accept the demise of one of the greatest and most effective means of educating the whole child.

 As part of our commitment to our students, St. Bernadette School awards more than $50,000 in Tuition Assistance to families in need each year.  It is our belief that financial challenges should not prohibit a family from providing a Catholic education for their children. 

As we formally establish the St. Bernadette School Tuition Assistance Fund, we invite all who believe in the importance of a Catholic education to make a contribution to this important Fund. Your contribution will help us to continue to provide assistance to those who need it most in our community.

You may make your contribution by sending in the Tuition Assistance form and a separate check with your Registration.  You may also donate on-line by selecting the Tuition Assistance Online Payment.

He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”   Luke 10:27