Scholarship winners choosing Catholic education

Kara Black received a phone call the night before school began that changed the course of her daughter's education for the next three years.

She was notified that her daughter qualified for "A Better Choice" scholarship, a new, privately funded, school choice initiative serving families in Albany, Schenectady and Troy.

"I was thrilled, totally ecstatic," Ms. Black told The Evangelist.

Into Catholic school

After visiting several schools, Ms. Black selected Blessed Sacrament School in Albany for her daughter Chevonne, a second grader, because she found the community welcoming and warm.

"Blessed Sacrament won my heart," the mother revealed. "They were totally attentive to my child. I felt if she had a problem, she'd have people to go to."

Ms. Black had been trying to enroll her daughter at St. James Institute ever since Chevonne started school, but her grade was filled each year. The mother was concerned about the education her daughter was receiving in public school, saying that her daughter could bore easily if the curriculum wasn't challenging.

More winners

Other parents echoed Ms. Black's statements. Sadie Boyd, whose daughter Jasmine is now attending The Regional School at St. Casimir in Albany through an ABC scholarship said, "I've talked to other parents who are concerned about overcrowding and kids passing through grades without being able to read."

Mrs. Boyd said Jasmine's reading level had started to slip as well. She has tried to create a household that values education, and it was frustrating not to have support from the school. The family goes to the library three times a week, and her daughter enjoys reading.

"We help her; we go to the library," Mrs. Boyd explained. "I want her to get help in school, too. She's in school most of the day. That doesn't give us as much time with her. In private school, they get that nurturing."

Nurturing atmosphere

The first day of school was one example of the nurturing Mrs. Boyd was looking for.

Her daughter was nervous about attending a new school and meeting new classmates. Mrs. Boyd said the teacher helped welcome Jasmine right away.

"The teacher made me feel comfortable," Mrs. Boyd reported. "She gave her the attention I would have given her. I was relieved. It was just like being in my hands. It showed that the teachers deal with kids at their level. That's what you want as a parent."

Clean and nice

Deborah Wilson, whose daughter Tiara Kennedy is attending St. James Institute in Albany, reported that her daughter enjoyed her new environment.

"Tiara said she liked it a lot," Ms. Wilson reported. "She said it was cleaner and nicer. She said the people were so nice -- and the bathrooms were cleaner."

Ms. Wilson is pleased with the school because of the hope it's providing for her. "My daughter didn't do well in public school," she explained. "She had the potential, and it's not just her mother saying that. Other people said so as well. I'm hoping she does better."

Parental input

Although Ms. Wilson wanted to do something about her daughter's education, she did have some concerns about the scholarship program. While the scholarship, which pays half of the tuition, put a non-public school within the reach of the family, paying the difference was still a challenge, she reported.

"You have to qualify for the free or reduced lunch program which means you're low-income," she explained. "You can have a hard time affording the rest. But I'm very grateful for the opportunity."

Other parents were surprised by the affordability of Catholic schools. "I thought the tuition would be higher," Ms. Black stated.

Mrs. Boyd found The Regional School at St. Casimir willing to help her send her child to the school even if they didn't receive a scholarship. "They said they'd be happy to have her there regardless of the scholarship," she reported.

Religion

Religion was not a factor in the scholarship program, although the bulk of the schools participating are religiously affiliated. For some of the parents, the values taught at the Catholic schools are an additional bonus.

"We all believe in the same God," Mrs. Boyd said. "We're all God's children."

Ms. Wilson echoed those thoughts, saying: "I'm not Catholic, but I do believe in God. Some religion is better than none; at least it's positive."

Ms. Black added, "We're Christian. What she's learning doesn't contradict what she's learned."

Quality education

The most important factor in choosing a Catholic school for the parents who spoke with The Evangelist was being able to provide their children with a quality education.

"Education is the most valuable thing you can get. No one can take it away from you," Mrs. Boyd said. "I have big hopes."

Ms. Black believes Blessed Sacrament School will open her daughter's eyes to a larger world. "Blessed Sacrament will let her see other parts of the world," she said.

To other parents, Ms. Black advises, "If you ever have the opportunity, apply."

(09-19-96) [[In-content Ad]]