Public school students transition to Catholic schools 

When Aurora “Rorie” O’Brien started sixth grade in 2025 at Monsignor Slade Catholic School in Glen Burnie, she was nervous and worried about missing her friends. As a transfer student from a public school, she also wasn’t quite sure what to expect in terms of studies and classes. 

It didn’t take long, however, for her to find her stride – making the honor roll, winning a poster-drawing contest and participating in the school’s Girls on the Run program. 

“I was really excited to come back to school after summer break,” Rorie, now a seventh grader, said. “It is a fun place to be. They hold events for us and do a lot. They make education fun.” 

Her mother, Angie O’Brien, couldn’t be happier. 

“I thought the transfer would be hard for her, as no friends went there,” O’Brien said. “A couple of teachers reached out saying she was doing so well. The whole staff and faculty are very welcoming. She really took off there.” 

Students of all ages transfer from public schools to Catholic schools every year, according to Laura Mooney, director of enrollment management for Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic schools. 

“We see the majority of our students new to Catholic school in pre-K, K and even first grade, then it settles a bit,” Mooney said. “We see another big uptick in sixth grade, since it’s a natural time to change schools and parents tend to be more fearful of sending their child to a public middle school.” 

Monsignor Slade welcomed 111 new students this year, according to Cameron Stehle, principal. Of those, about 30 to 40 percent were from public schools. 

“When they come in, we look at them as any other student,” Stehle said. “It is a transition period, a shifting mind set. Teachers are new. New outlook. New insight. New personalities.” 

Every fifth-grade student who walks in the doors of St. Margaret Middle School in Bel Air is a new student, according to Peggy Messaris, the middle school counselor. While some are transfer students, the majority are advancing students who are leaving their familiar elementary school for middle school. 

“We really try to make it a different environment for them,” Messaris said. 

To prepare all students for that leap, the school hosts a variety of events for parents and students to visit the school and meet teachers and staff. Eighth-grade students act as ambassadors and answer questions. 

“It’s a matter of making them feel comfortable,” Messaris said. “We help them adapt. We are here to support. It is OK to miss your old school. We have a wonderful staff who do their best to make sure everyone feels good.” 

For Rorie, she discovered she was not quite on the same level academically as her new classmates at Monsignor Slade when she transferred in sixth grade. She credits the teachers for helping her catch up. 

Alethea Spear, director of enrollment for Immaculate Conception School in Towson, said among the biggest transitions for incoming middle school students are adapting to homework expectations and learning cursive. 

“We have found that public schools are not teaching cursive writing,” she said. “We teach it in second and third grade. Not all kids have learned it. They have to catch up.” 

Perhaps the most obvious difference between public and Catholic schools is the faith element. Students of all faiths attend archdiocesan schools. 

“Everyone (attends) religion classes, goes to Mass, attends prayer services and prays during the day,” Spear said of students at ICS. “For those not familiar, we work with them. Teachers know and make sure they (students) are comfortable.” 

Slade has a partnership with Hallow, an app for Christian and Catholic prayer and meditation, Stehle said. 

“It is not just on the school to form them spiritually but on the family, too.” Stehle said. “Hallow gives us a good platform, new initiatives to create different family tasks. It is more and more important for them to be part of their world.” 

Melanie Askey knew she made the right decision to send her children to St. Margaret when her son asked if it was OK to say a “Hail Mary” when they gathered to say goodbye to their old dog in its final moments of life. 

“Things like that, you just know the school is doing something right. We’re doing something right,” Askey said. 

Entering Immaculate Conception as a sixth grader was a “big step” for Will Knoerlein, he said. He missed his former teachers and wasn’t too thrilled about wearing a uniform. 

“I started to like it,” Will, who is now in eighth grade said. “I learned more about God and being closer to God.” 

He is now involved in campus ministry and acts as a student ambassador, helping new sixth graders like he once was transferring into the school. 

“I got attached to it,” Will, 13, said. “I know it is where I want to go.”  

As students get into their routines, Messaris said it doesn’t take long for them to become part of the student body. 

“Once in uniform walking the hallways, you probably couldn’t tell who has been here since kindergarten and who has been since sixth grade,” Messaris said.  

Email Katie Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org 

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