Comments on: Will Oakland lose another Catholic school?

By: Cranky Teacher

Cranky Teacher — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:29:30 +0000

BTW, I know a student whose Catholic high school blocked her from taking her finals cause her hospitalized mother couldn’t pay the bills — now she may lose a year of education she completed because the school won’t give her the credits to carry over to her new public school.

Does that sound like Christian charity???

By: Cranky Teacher

Cranky Teacher — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:27:30 +0000

This trend started long before the recession.

By: Union Supporter-But

Union Supporter-But — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:59:52 +0000

Cranky Teacher:

If the families cannot afford $100 – $300 per month they are in OUSD schools by default. The cost for school lunches for two students is more than $100 per month and in public school that lunch is free.

By: cranky teacher

cranky teacher — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:33:39 +0000

It would seem that charter or not, publicly funded education is drawing these students away from the parochial schools. Isn’t that a feather in the cap of OUSD?

Just sayin’.

By: Sister Mary Liam Brock, O.P.

Sister Mary Liam Brock, O.P. — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:22:50 +0000

Greetings!
Thank you for your article of Saturday, January 2 “Catholic school’s future in question” I am the principal of a Catholic secondary school in the inner city of Oakland – St. Elizabeth High School. We are struggling due to a low enrollment. The majority of families, in our area, interested in sending their child to a Catholic school, cannot afford more than $100 to $300 a month. Needless to say, unless our Catholic schools can find funding sources, they will continue to struggle and gradually close in the urban areas. You might be interested in knowing that we have instituted a “flexible tuition plan”in order to make a Catholic school secondary education possible for low income families in this urban area. The Catholic Voice did an article on us in their last edition – we have put an ad of AC Buses and in other areas. Hopefully the word can get out that we are seeking ways to keep our Catholic schools affordable.
Sister Mary Liam Brock
Prinipal

By: Henry

Henry — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 12:10:58 +0000

This is truly a sad story and as a product of an Oakland Catholic school, St. Augustine’s, which is now closed, I am disappointed by reading yet another story about the closing of an inner city educational institution. I recognize that the fiscal reality that exists at St. Bernard’s is not limited to this school, but pervades the financial foundation that virtually every private and public school is dealing with right now. However, I believe that the lack of leadership and vision from the Diocese is a significant factor that has overseen such a dramatic decline in the Catholic schools in our community. Consistently losing schools over a sustained period of time cannot be explained simply by pointing to the economy.

The Bible states in Proverbs 29:18, “where there is no vision, the people perish.” I am hoping that with a new Bishop, we will see some inspired leadership that recognizes that the future of the Catholic church depends on introducing young people and their families to the faith, integrated with a high quality education. More specifically, it is essential that the Diocese lead a comprehensive marketing and branding effort to help prospective parents realize the incredible benefits of Catholic school. As part of the marketing effort, it should be presented how cost effective Catholic schools are when compared to ANY other educational venue including public schools.

There is no question of the tremendous need for quality education and choices that serve the diversity of the students and families in the Bay Area. Having strong Catholic schools as part of the academic landscape is good for everyone. I hope that with new leadership at the Diocese, we will soon experience a revitalization of our schools that brings together the current and future parents, students, incredibly dedicated teachers, alumni and the community to sustain and grow this resource.

By: ralph

ralph — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:16:04 +0000

I do not know enough about Oakland Catholic Schools to know who attended, but I know in Detroit the last Catholic School Standing starting to serve the non-Catholic urban students who would have otherwise attended a public school.

By: susan

susan — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:18:35 +0000

Its too bad!! The Catholic schools have really taken a hit. I smell another charter school…..Perhaps Aspire with the help of OUSD ??