Altagracia Rodriguez knows principles and faith values are nurtured at Catholic schools, which is why the Latina mother says she couldn’t be happier to have three children enrolled at Bishop Schad Regional School in Vineland.
She attributes her satisfaction to how emotionally, spiritually and academically strong her children have grown.
“I feel very happy and believe this is like a family legacy for my children. It was the best decision I could have made,” Rodriguez said.
There are many Latino parents who, like Rodriguez, have joined South Jersey Catholic schools because they believe it is an investment in their children’s education and future. Since 2014, South Jersey Catholic schools have seen a 96 percent increase in Latino students in grades Pre-K through eight, and a 61 percent increase in high schools. (This statistic does not include Camden city’s Catholic Partnership Schools, which traditionally have a high percentage of Latino students.)
During these years, the Diocese’s Office of Catholic Schools has learned that Latino parents trust and like our schools academically, but they love them more because they are Catholic.
Heather Crisci, principal at Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, agrees with that perspective, saying “all students [can] benefit from a Catholic school environment that is nurturing and supportive of goals and aspirations. A Catholic school provides a foundation in faith that allows students to grow and discover their place and God-given talents.”
This has been the experience of Donaji Mendieta Silva, a Camden Catholic senior merit scholar of Mexican descent who has been granted a full scholarship to Princeton University through the QuestBridge program, which helps high-achieving, low-income high school seniors gain admission and full scholarships to the nation’s most selective colleges.
“Her drive, hard work and accomplishments brought her an acceptance to Princeton University, and Camden Catholic High School could not be more proud of her,” Crisci said.
Donaji will be the first in her family to attend an Ivy League school and graduate from college.
“At Camden Catholic High School, everyone is so uplifting. Teachers are nice and supportive,” she said with excitement in her voice. “They gave me the tools to move forward.”
Her mother, Maria Silva, could not be happier. She said her daughter has dreamed about Princeton since she was seven years old, when she found out Albert Einstein was a professor there. “She wants to be a chemistry teacher,” Silva said.
This story of success is a source of hope for many Latino families who believe in the power of a good Catholic education.
“Many Latino families are unaware of the opportunities and resources available for their children and how to access them, but the support we found at our Catholic high school ensured Donaji was able to compete and find those opportunities,” Silva said.
Rodriguez and Silva agreed that Catholic school has enriched their families’ faith and their children’s relationships with God. They also are impressed with the quality education their children receive.
Silva said a Catholic education is an opportunity for Latino families to keep their values and for children to grow integrally as human beings. “They learn to be selective of their words and actions because they want to please Jesus.”
Find a Catholic school near you and discover the gift of a lifetime for you and your children! Visit southjerseycatholicschools.org.
Marianela Nuñez is director of enrollment and outreach for the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools.
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