Weekly THIS AND THAT for January 18, 2009: Affording a Catholic School Education

This and That:
Affording a Catholic School Education


On November 27, 2008 Archbishop O’Brien wrote an open letter to the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of Baltimore in The Catholic Review. In it he spoke of the fact that Catholic Schools are facing downward trends in enrollment with rising salary and benefit costs, resulting in continuous increases in tuitions.

The recent downturn in our national economy has collided with these pre-existing factors to create a bit of a “perfect storm” that poses a real challenge to the sustainability of many of our Catholic schools, our own parish school included. Catholic schools in other dioceses are facing similar financial challenges as a result of a sharp decline in enrollment.

Since returning from Israel, I have met with the chairs of the Parish Finance Committee, the School Finance Committee, and Ms. Brydie Ricketts, our school principal, in an effort to address these challenges and to create a way to make our Catholic School affordable for all who seek it. This same goal has and continues to be a priority of this Archdiocese.

One objective our parish Catholic School has is to fill every classroom without negatively impacting the quality of an excellent academic curriculum and the added benefit of a faith-based education. To meet this objective we recognize that some families will need financial assistance to bridge the gap between their financial resources and the cost of attending OLGS. We feel confident that we can award a tuition assistance grant to help any child attend OLGS based on demonstrated financial need.

In order to apply for Tuition Assistance, all a family needs to do is share its financial situation on a confidential basis with an outside firm called SSS (School and Student Service for Financial Aid). This firm in turn would recommend to the Tuition Assistance Committee how much assistance is needed for a family to attend OLGS.

➢ If you would like to have a child or grandchild enrolled in our Catholic School, but you do not feel you can afford the annual tuition of $5,625 for K-8th Grade and $5,425 for the five full-day option Pre-School for the 2009-2010 school year, simply ask Ms. Ricketts or me for an application form for SSS. They will ask for your financial picture including incomes, assets, and debts information.

➢ Once the application is evaluated by SSS, they will recommend to our School the amount of Tuition Assistance that could be granted, based on the household’s financial need.

➢ While the amount for financial assistance to be recommended is being considered, the enrollment application process for acceptance to OLGS would be occurring.

➢ Once the Financial Assistance grant recommendation is received, you will have a confidential meeting with me as a member of the Tuition Assistance Committee to review the recommendation.

➢ With the grant awarded and the enrollment process completed, the child is ready for school, whether it is the beginning of the next school year or entrance into a class in the middle of the year.

➢ Each year you will re-apply for financial assistance and, assuming no material changes in your financial status, a similar grant could be awarded.

It is important to remember that a current family that experiences a change in its financial situation that creates a need for assistance can also apply for financial assistance consideration. You would follow the same process as outlined above.

The following are dates to remember regarding enrollment into the Fall Semester for the 2009-2010 School Year.

➢ New Enrollments – Began December 1st
➢ Re-enrollment – February 6th
➢ Deadline for Tuition Assistance Applications – April 1st

Our School Council and School Finance Committee are working hard at a balancing act of keeping tuition affordable, while also providing our students a high-quality learning environment with the finest faculty, which requires competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain the best teachers. Ensuring full enrollment is a critical component to achieving a balanced budget and helping families with a demonstrated financial need is a top priority.

The years have witnessed a radical change in the role our Catholic schools have played. We find ourselves at a critical juncture in the history of Catholic schools, one that offers us the opportunity to meet the social, spiritual, and cultural challenges faced by parents and children, and offers us the exciting opportunity for dynamic change. Our Lady of Grace School, I am proud to say, exists to continue the tradition of Catholic education by providing a strong academic environment rooted in faith and moral values. It does not get better than that.

Therefore, I would not want families who desire a Catholic education for their children to refrain from doing so for financial reasons. Please feel free to inquire more about our Tuition Assistance Program.

Fondly,
Father Nicholas