Catholic Schools – Their North American Beginnings
Since the early 1600s, Catholic education has been a part of North America. From the Spanish missionaries on the west coast to the Franciscans on the east coast, religious education has been a major goal of Catholicism.
The timeline that follows emphasizes highlights that signal the beginnings of formal Catholic education across the United States.
| 1606 |
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Franciscan missionaries opened the first Catholic school in America in St. Augustine, Florida. [Refer to Blest Are We School Edition, Grade 8, page 408.]
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| 1810 |
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St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with the support of Archbishop John Carroll opened the first parochial school in Emmitsburg, MD. [Refer to Blest Are We School Edition, Grades 2 and 3, page 396.
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1852-
1860 |
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During this period, St. John Neopomacene Neumann founded the diocesan school system in America.
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| 1850s |
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Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart established Catholics schools in the Washington territory around 1856. [Refer to Blest Are We School Edition, Grade 4, page 396.]
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| 1850s |
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Archbishop John Hughes created a Catholic school system in New York City. [See Blest Are We School Edition, Grade 5, page 396.]
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| 1884 |
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United States bishops decided that every parish should have a parochial school.
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| 1887 |
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Mother Amadeus Dunne and her Ursuline sisters founded the St. Labre Indian School at a Cheyenne reservation in Montana. [See Blest Are We School Edition, Grade 7, page 408.]
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| 1890s |
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Mother Frances Cabrini opened schools to teach English and Italians in New York City. [See Blest Are We School Edition, Grade 6, page 396.]
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| 1904 |
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Founding of the (National) Catholic Education Association in St. Louis, Missouri. The NCEA is a voluntary association of educators and teachers.
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There are three types of Catholic schools: parochial schools, which are run by parishes; diocesan schools, run by dioceses; and private order schools, which are run by specific groups within the Church. Most parochial schools are elementary schools. Many diocesan and private order schools are high schools.
By the 2000-2001 academic year, there were 6,920 Catholic elementary schools and 1,226 Catholic secondary schools. Total enrollment exceeded 2.6 million students with a faculty of 161,500.
Catholic schools focus on moral and religious values; parental involvement; dedicated and qualified teachers; curriculum offerings aimed at raising student goals; a disciplined learning environment and a sense of community.
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During Catholic Schools Week refer to the special section in Blest Are We School Editions, "Catholic Schools in America." Encourage students to learn more about the schools of which they are an important part. |
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Links
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US Conference of Catholic Bishops
www.usccb.org
National Catholic Education Association
One Hundred Years of Catholic Education, a NCEA-commissioned book, explores the history of the past century of Catholic education in the United States. It may be ordered on the NCEA website www.ncea.org/store/.
www.ncea.org
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