Renewing Catholic Schools: How to Regain a Catholic Vision in a Secular Age

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Catholic education exemplifies the Church's mission to form disciples, and despite a decline in schools and students, many are experiencing renewal by embracing the Catholic tradition. This work outlines the reasons for this resurgence and offers practical suggestions for administrators, clergy, teachers, and parents to reinvigorate Catholic schools. It begins by framing Catholic education within the Church's mission, emphasizing fidelity to Catholic identity and the fullness of truth as essential for success. The Catholic intellectual tradition, shaped by figures like Augustine, Boethius, and Aquinas, provides a guiding vision to address the contemporary educational crisis. To move beyond the prevailing secular model, Catholic schools are encouraged to align their curricula with the Catholic tradition. Archbishop Michael Miller's essay serves as a practical resource in this endeavor. The text also presents a Catholic vision for a well-rounded curriculum, covering subjects from the fine arts to catechesis, aimed at developing graduates who appreciate beauty, truth, and goodness. Furthermore, it outlines strategies for renewing schools through teacher formation, community building, and implementing a robust Catholic mission. Ultimately, educators are called to teach like Jesus, while the school community should embody the mission in daily life. The book concludes with examples of successfully renewed Catholic schools.