Christopher Gunty talks with Gregory Farno, chancellor for education for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and School Sister of Notre Dame Patricia McCarron, superintendent of Catholic Education, about the start of the school year, what makes Catholic schools distinctive and how they support students academically, spiritually and socially. They also discuss enrollment trends, parent partnership, leadership development for educators and the role of Catholic schools in forming the whole person.
The discussion highlights three common reasons families choose Catholic schools: faith, academic rigor, and safety, with opportunity and personal growth added as a major fourth value.
Sister Patricia and Farno emphasize community and relationship, describing Catholic schools as places where students learn service, respect and shared responsibility. Both emphasize that Catholic schools form the whole person, preparing students not just intellectually but morally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and socially.
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