Benefits of a Catholic Education

 Volusia County Catholic Schools are dedicated to academic excellence and to teaching tolerance and social justice principles to the school community. We accomplish this through:

Faith & Values:

Unique to Catholic schools is the opportunity to nurture the formation of each child by emphasizing the Gospel message throughout the curriculum and extracurricular activities, in addition to liturgy, prayer and regular mass. A faith-based orientation is key to integrating the schools into the larger community. The community atmosphere that is vital to Catholic education has been linked with higher levels of teacher commitment, student engagement, and student achievement (Marks, 2009).

Faculty & Staff:

Our educators, many of whom hold advanced degrees, are dedicated professionals committed to providing a superior learning experience and supportive learning environment for both student and family. They strive to personally model the core values of a Catholic education.

Outstanding Academics:

Within a challenging curriculum, our schools offer the latest in state-of-the-art technology, computer, math and science labs. Enrichment programs include foreign language, art, and music, along with advanced coursework for middle and high school. Overall academic achievement is higher in Catholic schools than public schools (Coleman & Hoffer, 1987; Coleman, Hoffer, &Kilgore, 1982l Greeley, 1982; Sander, 1996).

Health & Well-being:

Our Volusia County Catholic Schools provide a multitude of sports, clubs and activities designed to foster physical development, teamwork, and school spirit. Approximately 90% of our students participate in these activities. In addition, the climate and mission of Catholic schools has a positive effect on student attendance and achievement (Bryk, Lee, & Holland, 1993).

Parental Involvement:

Parental involvement is a valued component of Catholic education. From home & school associations to extracurricular clubs and athletics, parental support strengthens our school community.

Graduation & College Enrollment:

Catholic school students believe in the importance of a quality education. Approximately 98% of Catholic school students finish high school and go on to pursue a college degree. Hispanic and African American students who attend Catholic schools are more likely to graduate from high school and college than students in public schools (Benson, Yeager, Guerra, & Manno, 1986; Evans & Schwab, 1995; Neal, 1997; Sander & Krautman, 1995).

Community Service:

Our children are encouraged to share their gifts, time, and talents with others as they live out the Gospel Message. Each student participates in community service projects which give him/her an opportunity to serve those in need and support their communities while building compassion and leadership skills. The positive experiences students have with community service often stay with them for a lifetime. Graduates from Catholic schools are more likely to be civically engaged and committed to service as adults (Campbell, 2001: Wolf, Greene, Kleitz,& Thalhammer, 2001).