Sustaining Catholic Education in and for the Black Community
By Lois J. Carson, Sr. Roberta Fulton, S.S.M.N., Dorothy Gupton, Veronica Morgan-Lee, Freida D. McCray, Mary Crowley McDonald, Kathleen A. Merritt, Sr. Jamie T. Phelps, O.P., Ph.D., Brother Gary Sawyer, ECSA, Deacon Marvin Threatt, PhD.
(Article: Page
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The following five funding models are generally accepted and easily understood in concept:
Cost-Based Tuition/Needs-Based Assistance Model:
Tuition is based on the actual cost-per-pupil. Tuition assistance is provided to families with documented needs. Parish subsidy and other funding sources are used to create a tuition assistance pool. This model has attracted national attention.
Negotiated Tuition Model:
Parents are made aware of the actual cost-per-pupil. Tuition is negotiated with each family by the pastor, principal, or designated committee, based upon the family's ability to pay.
Parish Stewardship Model:
The financial contributions of parishioners are the primary funding source for parish ministries, including the Catholic school. There is little or no school tuition for participating members.
Traditional Funding Model:
School budgets are based on revenues coming from tuition, parish subsidy, fundraising, and development. Tuition rates for all families are reduced by the amount of income from parish subsidy, fundraising, and development income.
Diocesan Tuition Assistance Model:
One of the keys to success of all funding models is the availability of tuition assistance. The vast majority of tuition assistance is provided at the local level by funding from the home parish, and through fundraising, development, endowments, and other sources. However, some funding should be offered at the diocesan level.
Most Catholic schools are funded through the Traditional Funding model. Catholic school leaders across the country continue to look for new and improved ways to address the rising cost per pupil of Catholic education. The above models are among the many ways leaders are trying to first and foremost provide a quality Catholic education, and secondly, to ensure that every child, regardless of economic circumstances, can have access to a Catholic education.
Religious in Education: A Student's Story
I received a first-class academic,
spiritual, and affordable Catholic education from St. Joseph's E
lementary Catholic School in Alexandria, Virginia.
I grew up in the projects, and walked to
school every day. Tuition was only $25 a year. The school was supported
by the parish, and almost every child at St. Joseph Church went to the
school.
The Oblate Sisters of Providence from Baltimore
ran the school. When the Oblate Sisters accepted an invitation to work in
a Catholic school in Iowa, St. Joseph's school began to struggle and
eventually closed.
 Religious Sisters working in education was and
is a blessing to the Church.
The Very Reverend Paul Williams, OFM, VF The
Diocese of Charleston
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