Why We Choose Catholic Schools For Our Students
By : Bob Sobotta Superintendent of Catholic Schools
A few years ago, I wrote an article for the Idaho Catholic Register on my ideas of why parents and guardians choose Catholic schools, and why they are the best for our students. One might ask: “In what way?” or “What does one base this on?” or “How are they better?”Other questions: “What does the research show?” and “What is the empirical evidence that proves that Catholic schools are the best way to go for educating our children and grandchildren?” Since my earlier article, schools have changed but only improved.
There is no question that we assume parents want the best education possible for our loved ones. Recognizing the size of Idaho, it is not always possible for many of our children to attend Catholic schools. However, it still behooves our entire communities and society whenever we can, to make Catholic education available and to enhance our young people with the social, faith and academic tools they need most.
To ensure our schools are the best, the Western Catholic Educational Association has developed and implemented a most thorough and rigorous accreditation process that every recognized Catholic school in Idaho must follow. This process is taken seriously by our schools in this diocese and by dioceses in most other states. Schools are obligated to set and meet high standards, designed to bring
about accountability in many areas that ensure good things for our Catholic young people. It should be noted that many non-Catholic students also attend our schools because of our high standards.
Among the high standards established in our schools and affirmed through the accreditation process are the following: family and staff satisfaction; academic achievement; Catholic identity; a clear mission and philosophy; formation of students in specific areas (spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially); student support services, including technology; and, most important, always an action plan for even more improvement.
Personally, I can vouch for Catholic education because I know how it is currently helping two of my grandchildren who are attending excellently-run Catholic schools. I have also helped make it possible for three others to attend Catholic schools. One might say that sometimes it is a sacrifice, but who would ever argue that your child or grandchild is not the most precious person in your world. I know my grandchildren are.
At this time, Idaho’s public schools at the elementary level do not have any accreditation process to ensure needed accountability. We have made certain that our schools are accountable and the best. One only needs to compare our academic scores, behavior records and student and parent satisfaction to know why we feel so confident in sending our children to Catholic schools. We hope this may be
possible for you to do so in the future. If you do not have children of school age, maybe you can help make it possible for other school-age students to attend a Catholic school through your prayer and financial support. Your support will be a blessing for students, parents, schools, communities and our society. God bless!
A few years ago, I wrote an article for the Idaho Catholic Register on my ideas of why parents and guardians choose Catholic schools, and why they are the best for our students. One might ask: “In what way?” or “What does one base this on?” or “How are they better?”Other questions: “What does the research show?” and “What is the empirical evidence that proves that Catholic schools are the best way to go for educating our children and grandchildren?” Since my earlier article, schools have changed but only improved.
There is no question that we assume parents want the best education possible for our loved ones. Recognizing the size of Idaho, it is not always possible for many of our children to attend Catholic schools. However, it still behooves our entire communities and society whenever we can, to make Catholic education available and to enhance our young people with the social, faith and academic tools they need most.
To ensure our schools are the best, the Western Catholic Educational Association has developed and implemented a most thorough and rigorous accreditation process that every recognized Catholic school in Idaho must follow. This process is taken seriously by our schools in this diocese and by dioceses in most other states. Schools are obligated to set and meet high standards, designed to bring
about accountability in many areas that ensure good things for our Catholic young people. It should be noted that many non-Catholic students also attend our schools because of our high standards.
Among the high standards established in our schools and affirmed through the accreditation process are the following: family and staff satisfaction; academic achievement; Catholic identity; a clear mission and philosophy; formation of students in specific areas (spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially); student support services, including technology; and, most important, always an action plan for even more improvement.
Personally, I can vouch for Catholic education because I know how it is currently helping two of my grandchildren who are attending excellently-run Catholic schools. I have also helped make it possible for three others to attend Catholic schools. One might say that sometimes it is a sacrifice, but who would ever argue that your child or grandchild is not the most precious person in your world. I know my grandchildren are.
At this time, Idaho’s public schools at the elementary level do not have any accreditation process to ensure needed accountability. We have made certain that our schools are accountable and the best. One only needs to compare our academic scores, behavior records and student and parent satisfaction to know why we feel so confident in sending our children to Catholic schools. We hope this may be
possible for you to do so in the future. If you do not have children of school age, maybe you can help make it possible for other school-age students to attend a Catholic school through your prayer and financial support. Your support will be a blessing for students, parents, schools, communities and our society. God bless!
Testimonials
"I had to laugh when I asked what the major problem in our junior high was and was told, “chewing gum”; not dating, not illegal substances, not discipline, not foul language, but the deeply distressing issue of gum chewing." We've added Testimonials to our Website. Click the "Success After SPPS" tab to read them!
 Link to SPPS
Facebook Page  Link to SPP Parish Website |
We are a Catholic school but we welcome and enjoy students of other faiths.
10.6% of Grangeville High School Students are SPPS Alumni
|
"I Appreciate" quotes that appear throughout our website were written by parents and have been published
either in our school newsletter or on our Facebook page over the past two years.
To submit information or pictures for this website please email Carla Wilkins wilkins@mtida.net or Bernadette Edwards it2wlps@hotmail.com
For more information, please contact
Teresa Groom, Principal
Sts. Peter and Paul School
330 S. B Street, Grangeville, Idaho 83530
(208) 983-2182
Teresa Groom, Principal
Sts. Peter and Paul School
330 S. B Street, Grangeville, Idaho 83530
(208) 983-2182
