Despite the priest sexual abuse scandal, more parents and students are turning to Catholic schools to instill values and ethics.
Catholic high schools throughout MetroWest are booming. It is harder to get in to most schools, money is pouring in for new buildings and parents say they see their children being accepted into colleges and becoming well-rounded people.
The trend includes Xaverian Brothers in Westwood, Marian in Framingham, Hudson Catholic, St. Sebastian's in Needham, Holy Name Central Catholic in Worcester and Mount Alvernia in Newton.
Xaverian Brothers, an all boys high school, is turning way more than four students for every spot. Last year 1,100 applicants competed for 275 spots and the school wrapped up a five-year, $12.1 million capital campaign, paying for a new library and technology center for its 1,030 students.
Both of Nancy Tanguay's sons chose Xaverian after considering every large, small, coed and single-sex private school in the area.
"The sense of pride he has at being at Xaverian is something I don't even think a parent can instill," the Medfield resident said of her eldest son. He blossomed there, she said, and she's hoping her youngest son will find direction at the school.
"They're serving others instead of being served. Xaverian really brings out a very deep spirituality whether (the students) are Catholic or not."
Fifteen percent of students are not Catholic, and the student body includes Muslims, Jews and Christians of other denominations. All are required to study Catholic theology, and the oldest students discuss the church scandal in class.
"It's not under the rug," said Tanguay. "They've brought it in to the classroom and talk about it. ... My sons feel no discomfort in being in an environment that is a Catholic environment."
Headmaster Brother Daniel Skala, C.F.X., said the juniors and seniors discuss the priest sexual abuse scandal with teachers to better understand what their responsibility is as a member of the church.
By discussing the problem, they are learning how to protect themselves from abuse, not just sexual abuse but psychological abuse and verbal abuse, Skala said.
Xaverian, which is independent from the Boston Archdiocese, is sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers and governed by a lay board of trustees.
In Framingham, Marian High School is seeing its highest enrollment in 15 years after inaugurating a new principal, vice principal and athletic director this year, said Admissions Director Bob Anspach. Marian is one of eight archdiocesan central high schools in the state under the Boston Archdiocese. It has experienced no ill effects from the scandal and financial crisis in the church, said Anspach. Scholarships offered by the Archdiocese of Boston are still coming through, he said, and the school has begun a campaign to increase its endowment.
Despite the priest sexual abuse scandal, more parents and students are turning to Catholic schools to instill values and ethics.
Catholic high schools throughout MetroWest are booming. It is harder to get in to most schools, money is pouring in for new buildings and parents say they see their children being accepted into colleges and becoming well-rounded people.
The trend includes Xaverian Brothers in Westwood, Marian in Framingham, Hudson Catholic, St. Sebastian's in Needham, Holy Name Central Catholic in Worcester and Mount Alvernia in Newton.
Xaverian Brothers, an all boys high school, is turning way more than four students for every spot. Last year 1,100 applicants competed for 275 spots and the school wrapped up a five-year, $12.1 million capital campaign, paying for a new library and technology center for its 1,030 students.
Both of Nancy Tanguay's sons chose Xaverian after considering every large, small, coed and single-sex private school in the area.
"The sense of pride he has at being at Xaverian is something I don't even think a parent can instill," the Medfield resident said of her eldest son. He blossomed there, she said, and she's hoping her youngest son will find direction at the school.
"They're serving others instead of being served. Xaverian really brings out a very deep spirituality whether (the students) are Catholic or not."
Fifteen percent of students are not Catholic, and the student body includes Muslims, Jews and Christians of other denominations. All are required to study Catholic theology, and the oldest students discuss the church scandal in class.
"It's not under the rug," said Tanguay. "They've brought it in to the classroom and talk about it. ... My sons feel no discomfort in being in an environment that is a Catholic environment."
Headmaster Brother Daniel Skala, C.F.X., said the juniors and seniors discuss the priest sexual abuse scandal with teachers to better understand what their responsibility is as a member of the church.
By discussing the problem, they are learning how to protect themselves from abuse, not just sexual abuse but psychological abuse and verbal abuse, Skala said.
Xaverian, which is independent from the Boston Archdiocese, is sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers and governed by a lay board of trustees.
In Framingham, Marian High School is seeing its highest enrollment in 15 years after inaugurating a new principal, vice principal and athletic director this year, said Admissions Director Bob Anspach. Marian is one of eight archdiocesan central high schools in the state under the Boston Archdiocese. It has experienced no ill effects from the scandal and financial crisis in the church, said Anspach. Scholarships offered by the Archdiocese of Boston are still coming through, he said, and the school has begun a campaign to increase its endowment.
"From our vantage point that issue is separate from what is going on in the schools. It's not a lack of faith in Catholic education," Anspach said. "We are an alternative, a moral education."
Andrew Corey, principal of Hudson Catholic High School, said the small class size draws parents and students to the school. "Every student becomes a person rather than someone lost in the hallways."
His school of 216 students has plans for a new building and becomes more competitive each year.
Jeanne Aspero, whose son Kevin is a freshman at Hudson Catholic High School, sent all of her children to Catholic schools because of the discipline and morals taught.
"It's the whole person approach, not just the reading and writing. Kids are growing up in this age when there's so much out there to distract them. The Catholic school keeps them on the straight and narrow, or at least the right direction," she said.
One of her children has decided to attend a Catholic college.
"We're very involved in our parish. It's always been a part of our lives. We're very happy with Hudson Catholic. (Kevin) is doing well and he's very happy. The kids are so accepting and kind."
St. Sebastian's High School in Needham, known for its successful hockey program, has gone on a building binge, constructing a new hockey rink and a $3.5 million art center with classrooms and putting $7.1 million into renovating and expanding its main building.
Headmaster William Burke III said he has seen more impressive applicants every year since 1991, and the scandal has not made a dent.
"It really hasn't. I think from my own experience, and we have listening sessions with our existing students, the faith is really really strong. So, too, is the knowledge is that some human beings in the church have let us down," he said. "We know there have been some priests who have done very bad things," but talking about it has been purifying for the school. "We're open about it. We go through, we talk about it."
At Holy Name Central Catholic Jr./Sr. High School in Worcester, Headmaster Mary Riordan says her school is popular because of the strong academics, arts and athletics programs. Also, central Massachusetts is a center of Catholicism, and many parents can afford the tuition of $4,665 this year.
The sex abuse scandal has not hurt donations, but the stock market has effected the endowment, she said.
"The bishops fund in Worcester did not meet its goals, but we in schools have not been affected by that," she said.
Kathleen Kent, principal at Mount Alvernia High School in Newton, an independent school owned by the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of Immaculate Conception, said her enrollment would be growing if she had the space to house more students.
