Renewing Catholic schools : how to regain a Catholic vision in a secular age

Contents Foreword | Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila, Archbishop of Denver Part I: A Turning Point for Catholic Education 1. Introduction: Challenges and Opportunities forCatholic Education | R. Jared Staudt 2. Treasures Old & New: Looking to Our Past to Renew Our Vision | Andrew Seeley 3. Whose Standards, God’s or the State’s?: The Case for The Holy See’s Teaching on Catholic Schools | Elisabeth Sullivan Part II: Teaching the Catholic Vision Throughout the Curriculum 4. Educating the Whole Person: A Sacramental Approach | R. Jared Staudt 5. The Classical Liberal Arts Education | Andrew Seeley 6. Teaching the Catholic Tradition | R. Jared Staudt 7. The Well-Formed Graduate | Andrew Seeley Part III: Implementing a Renewed Vision of Education 8. Developing as a Teacher: To Teach as Jesus Did | Rosemary Vander Weele 9. Forming a School Community | Michael Van Hecke 10. Stories of Successful Renewal Conclusion: To Change a School | R. Jared Staudt Bibliography 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. 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. 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 dominate 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. "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. 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 dominate secular model of education, Catholic schools can align their curriculum more closely to the Catholic tradition. One touchpoint comes from Archbishop Michael Miller's essay, 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"-- Provided by publisher