Students formed for the world

It’s Catholic Schools Week! From Jan. 25 to Jan. 31 Catholic schools across the country celebrate the legacy of Catholic education in the United States. Catholic education is seeing a renewal and resurgence nationwide, as young families and others are returning to or discovering Jesus Christ and his Church. 

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Catholic schools are doubling down on their commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition and exploring or reviving time-tested pedagogy both in strategy and curricular resources for virtue development and academic excellence.

Life is full of many different paths and knowing how to react at various important times in life can be daunting if our consciences are not well-formed. Perfection evades us this side of the veil, however, those who attend a Catholic school do have an edge in being taught that there is a difference.

Those who educate and those who attend Catholic schools can work together to help the student learn through everyday decisions that may seem inconsequential, but over time develop and form the student’s mind and conscience towards the good, true and beautiful.

It does not just happen, it is not an accident, it is intention and inspired by God.

As students matriculate through the grade levels, they learn why certain decisions will bring everlasting joy, while others will bring pain and suffering to them and those around them. Ultimately, a student graduates and decides for himself or herself the paths they will take. One thing is for certain: administrators and teachers never stop praying for the success of their students, past, present and future. 

Catholic schools educate for life and for the fulfillment of the human person as God designed them, individually and collectively. Our world needs ethical government and community leaders with integrity; well-formed parents to lead the next generation; and well-educated industry leaders and employees to further development of the human race.

It also needs those who bring truth, beauty and goodness to the world through literature, the arts, and music and home sciences, making life enjoyable in all of its facets with the ultimate goal that it ends with our students returning to our Heavenly Father for eternity.

Catholic schools form students for their benefit and that of the world. 

How to afford a Catholic education 
Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City are more affordable now than ever before for any family seeking a Catholic education for their child. Due to school choice efforts of legislators over the past few years, the Parental Choice Tax Credit, the Catholic School Opportunity Fund, and changes to the Lindsay Nicole Henry Scholarship provide opportunities for families to fund a desired education to meet their specific needs. These are tremendous blessings for which we are thankful. 

The overall value of the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit is substantial, as it provides eligible Oklahoma taxpayers with a refundable income tax credit ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 to help offset private school tuition and fees for their children. This program has enabled thousands of families, particularly from low-and middle-income backgrounds, to afford private education options they might not otherwise access. 

The Catholic School Opportunity Fund benefits both donors and students. Donors can receive an Oklahoma Tax Credit and low-to-middle-income students can receive a scholarship to help with tuition. This program allows you to direct your taxes where you want them to go by providing financial assistance to low-income families as well as helping the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, particularly those most in need, to offer tuition assistance to their families. More information can be found on their website at csofok.org.

The Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship program provides scholarships to a participating private school of choice for PK3 through 12th grade students with special needs who meet specific criteria. A recent legislative change removed the year requirement to attend a public school. More information can be found at oklahoma.gov/education/services/special-education/lnh-scholarship.html.

Parish and school grants, if available, differ according to school and information will be located on the school website.