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Renewing Catholic Schools: How to Regain a Catholic Vision in a Secular Age
Catholic education remains one of the most compelling expressions of the Church's mission to form disciples. Despite decades of decline in the number of schools and students, many Catholic schools have been experiencing renewal by returning to the great legacy of the Catholic tradition. Renewing Catholic Schools offers an overview of the reasons behind this renewal and practical suggestions for administrators, clergy, teachers, and parents on how to begin the process of reinvigoration.
Co-authors Andrew Seeley, R. Jared Staudt, Elisabeth Sullivan, Rosemary Vander Weele, and Michael Van Hecke provide an overarching vision and practical guidance on renewing schools. The book begins by situating Catholic education within the Church's mission. Fidelity to Catholic mission and identity, including a commitment to the fulness of truth, provides the fundamental mark for the true success of Catholic education. The Catholic intellectual tradition, in particular, established by figures such as Augustine, Boethius, and Aquinas, can continue to direct Catholic schools, providing a depth of vision to overcome today's educational crisis.
To transcend the now dominant secular model of education, Catholic schools can align their curriculum more closely to the Catholic tradition. One touchpoint comes from Archbishop Michael Miller's The Holy See's Teaching on Catholic Schools , which the book explores as a source for practical guidance. It also offers a Catholic vision for curriculum, examining the full range of subjects from gymnasium, the fine arts, the liberal arts, literature, history, and catechesis, all of which lead to a well-formed graduate, inspired by beauty, attune to truth, and ordered toward the good.
Finally, the book provides a practical vision for renewing the school through the formation of teachers, creation of a school community, and by offering suggestions for implementation of a stronger Catholic mission and philosophy of education. The teacher, ultimately, should strive to teach like Jesus, while the community should joyfully embody the school's mission, making it a lived reality. The book concludes with examples of Catholic schools that have successfully undergone renewal.
Co-authors Andrew Seeley, R. Jared Staudt, Elisabeth Sullivan, Rosemary Vander Weele, and Michael Van Hecke provide an overarching vision and practical guidance on renewing schools. The book begins by situating Catholic education within the Church's mission. Fidelity to Catholic mission and identity, including a commitment to the fulness of truth, provides the fundamental mark for the true success of Catholic education. The Catholic intellectual tradition, in particular, established by figures such as Augustine, Boethius, and Aquinas, can continue to direct Catholic schools, providing a depth of vision to overcome today's educational crisis.
To transcend the now dominant secular model of education, Catholic schools can align their curriculum more closely to the Catholic tradition. One touchpoint comes from Archbishop Michael Miller's The Holy See's Teaching on Catholic Schools , which the book explores as a source for practical guidance. It also offers a Catholic vision for curriculum, examining the full range of subjects from gymnasium, the fine arts, the liberal arts, literature, history, and catechesis, all of which lead to a well-formed graduate, inspired by beauty, attune to truth, and ordered toward the good.
Finally, the book provides a practical vision for renewing the school through the formation of teachers, creation of a school community, and by offering suggestions for implementation of a stronger Catholic mission and philosophy of education. The teacher, ultimately, should strive to teach like Jesus, while the community should joyfully embody the school's mission, making it a lived reality. The book concludes with examples of Catholic schools that have successfully undergone renewal.
- GenresEducation
152 pages, Paperback
Published November 18, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 30, 2025
Great book! Probably one of my favorites from grad school so far because it is very direct when highlighting the importance of the renewal of Catholic education. This is more than just about the success of Catholic schools and keeping them open.
If we educate simply so one may receive a job and have a “good” career, we are failing. If we are living in this way, we are failing. We know that people are not happy solely because of their career. We must educate with our eyes fixed on eternity and help our students lift their heads to eternity as well. Truly reinvigorated my motivation as a Catholic educator! May we teach our students to know the truth and to love the good!
If we educate simply so one may receive a job and have a “good” career, we are failing. If we are living in this way, we are failing. We know that people are not happy solely because of their career. We must educate with our eyes fixed on eternity and help our students lift their heads to eternity as well. Truly reinvigorated my motivation as a Catholic educator! May we teach our students to know the truth and to love the good!
March 14, 2022
Just changed this review from a 4 star to a 3 star, and not because it's bad or I see it as worse, but if your subtitle isn't actually true (i.e. you don't actually explain and give details on how to regain a Catholic vision in a secular age) then you will be misleading people. This book is about explaining what it means to have a Catholic vision, especially in the contact of Classical Education. That's great, and as far as providing encouragement to not just follow secular ideas of testing, pure vocational focus, of skills based learning, it succeeds, but it doesn't provide the roadmap for pastors, principals, teachers, parents, or other community stakeholders to actually achieve it. A lot of fellow teachers who read this are, I think, a little jaded and don't have the hope that I do for a truly Catholic school, but there's no "now what" to follow this up with other than to get others to read this book, which is exactly what our pastor did, without giving any details on his actual vision, other than trying to get a specific kind of principal as our current one retires.
Anyway, this misses the mark, even as there are some really great points, and is lost in a unfortunately overly rosy picture, that while not making it seem easy, does make a classical transtion seem straightfoward when I argue it is anything but.
Anyway, this misses the mark, even as there are some really great points, and is lost in a unfortunately overly rosy picture, that while not making it seem easy, does make a classical transtion seem straightfoward when I argue it is anything but.
January 29, 2024
havent been on goodreads in so long but im going to try again
this was fantastic, though some essays were stronger than others. extremely convicting though, necessary if you're interested in education at all
this was fantastic, though some essays were stronger than others. extremely convicting though, necessary if you're interested in education at all
May 15, 2023
This book contains a wealth of information that calls us as Catholics to rethink the fundamental purpose of education as something, emphasizing forming the person rather than some utilitarian end like college or career preparation. The authors argue for a return of a classical model of education that includes great literary works and a more integrated curriculum as well as forming a community and especially making God the center of everything. Forming Catholics who live to glorify God would take precedence over forming for the world.
What this book lacks, however, is information on the practical side of things. I saw philosophical assays on how education should be but few practical tips as to what should be taught and how to implement it. There were example of things that were not good academic exercises like finding the “main idea” of a paragraph will little explanation of why they were not good. There was also a call for recitation of poetry without really talking about why this was what should be done. There was mention of how problematic it was to teach according to the standard textbooks, but I didn’t find lot of explanation as to why they were problematic and how their approach would be better. There were examples of schools who implemented a more classical curriculum, but I didn’t find much mention how they were able to do it and what teaching and materials were used.
The other problem is that the book would mention the legitimate problem of educating for simply utilitarian ends but not addressing how those ends could be met. While I’m in agreement that we shouldn’t educate just for college and career, the fact remains that, at some point, everyone needs to be able to make a living. If classical education is implemented, and preparing someone to have a job is de-emphasized, then how does one learn how to do what one needs to do for a living? The issue still has to be addressed at some point in a student’s life, and I have yet to read about how this can be done in the writings of an advocate of classical education.
Still, this book is very much worth reading and understanding how our society has departed from godly means of education and on what we need to return to.
What this book lacks, however, is information on the practical side of things. I saw philosophical assays on how education should be but few practical tips as to what should be taught and how to implement it. There were example of things that were not good academic exercises like finding the “main idea” of a paragraph will little explanation of why they were not good. There was also a call for recitation of poetry without really talking about why this was what should be done. There was mention of how problematic it was to teach according to the standard textbooks, but I didn’t find lot of explanation as to why they were problematic and how their approach would be better. There were examples of schools who implemented a more classical curriculum, but I didn’t find much mention how they were able to do it and what teaching and materials were used.
The other problem is that the book would mention the legitimate problem of educating for simply utilitarian ends but not addressing how those ends could be met. While I’m in agreement that we shouldn’t educate just for college and career, the fact remains that, at some point, everyone needs to be able to make a living. If classical education is implemented, and preparing someone to have a job is de-emphasized, then how does one learn how to do what one needs to do for a living? The issue still has to be addressed at some point in a student’s life, and I have yet to read about how this can be done in the writings of an advocate of classical education.
Still, this book is very much worth reading and understanding how our society has departed from godly means of education and on what we need to return to.
December 30, 2021
I generally disagreed with a lot of the educational recommendations, and the manner of presenting the arguments.
Particularly in the Essay Classical Liberal Arts Tradition: As You Like It is referenced, as Orlando is upset that his brother has not properly educated him, thus making him ill-qualified to step into his role in society. In my mind, that illustrates a need to teach students subjects to help them succeed in current society, not only within the Catholic sphere. If we are indeed to go out and make disciples of all nations, we can't be hindering our children's knowledge about other subjects beyond Math, Latin, Literature/History and Classical Music.
Particularly in the Essay Classical Liberal Arts Tradition: As You Like It is referenced, as Orlando is upset that his brother has not properly educated him, thus making him ill-qualified to step into his role in society. In my mind, that illustrates a need to teach students subjects to help them succeed in current society, not only within the Catholic sphere. If we are indeed to go out and make disciples of all nations, we can't be hindering our children's knowledge about other subjects beyond Math, Latin, Literature/History and Classical Music.
February 13, 2025
Renewing Catholic Schools is a reflective series of esssays on the state of our Catholic schools - where we've been, where we are now, and what we should become. This is not a detailed roadmap for renewing your school, but it does provide sage insight into rethinking the purpose and vision of Catholic schools - starting with a focus on the Triune God. While multiple examples of successful Catholic schools are included, I would say this book is a primer for beginning the journey of restoring the classical methods of Catholic education. A good read for educators, parents, or anyone concerned with Catholic education.
January 30, 2021
This is a book that should be gifted to every Catholic Educator next week during Catholic Schools Week 2021! I should be required professional development reading. Then every Bishop should vow to implement the suggested practices.
Excellent in content and theory. After 23 years in Catholic Education it breaks my heart to read the ideal, knowing that I teach in an environment that runs counter to that ideal.
Excellent in content and theory. After 23 years in Catholic Education it breaks my heart to read the ideal, knowing that I teach in an environment that runs counter to that ideal.
July 18, 2024
Great book with thought provoking essays on Catholic education. Our schools are in a renewal, this book serves as a great guide to the path to take. Looking forward to using pieces of this in professional development.
March 25, 2021
3.5 Staudt presents a vision and some basic examples
but fails to address many concrete criticisms of that same concept.
but fails to address many concrete criticisms of that same concept.
May 12, 2024
This was a very timely read for me. I love the classical Catholic education’s focus of educating the whole person.
I’m so grateful I had to recite poetry in grade school.
“Not understanding words and their power results in adults who are guided largely by emotion and completely susceptible to social, political, and media manipulation” (55).
I’m so grateful I had to recite poetry in grade school.
“Not understanding words and their power results in adults who are guided largely by emotion and completely susceptible to social, political, and media manipulation” (55).
October 8, 2025
The downside to this book is that it is a series of seemingly disconnected essays without a coherent hypothesis or unifying theme.
However, though I was annoyed by this deficiency while reading it, I did find that, by the end, it had prompted me to ask certain questions in a different way and to reevaluate some core assumptions I was making about Catholic education.
However, though I was annoyed by this deficiency while reading it, I did find that, by the end, it had prompted me to ask certain questions in a different way and to reevaluate some core assumptions I was making about Catholic education.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews