My wife and I are considering sending my daughter to Holy Cross High School in Delran starting in the Fall of 2009.
Tutition is not cheap (around $9,000 per year), so the decision is not an easy one.
We attended an open house there on Sunday, October 18th, and everyone affiliated with the school seemed very caring, concerned and motivated. The student representatives were great also.
I came away with just a few questions that I need answered, and I'll be working on that in the next few days:
1. Is there a dress code at the school. The school uniforms I saw on Sunday were way too short. One of the benefits of a Catholic School education has always been that parents do not have to argue with their children in the morning about the appropriateness of their attire (except on 'Dress Down' days. Having seen the mini-skirts that some of the girls wore on Sunday, I have to wonder if I won't be arguing with my daughter every morning.
2. Technology is a big buzzword at the school. Every incoming freshman will lease a tablet PC. As a college level teacher of technology, I'm not sold on this amount of technology in a High School. It's not that I don't think the kids can handle it, it's a matter of whether or not it can be properly incorporated into the classroom. For instance, what's easier, asking someone in Math class to come up to the board and, using chalk, write the equation on the board, or having a teacher snag it from a student's table PC, and display it on a smartboard in front of the class. I'm not absolutely sure of the answer myself, but if the teacher is not tech savy, that operation could take longer than my chalkboard approach.
3. I meant to ask on Sunday the percentage of students who receive some kind of financial aid.
4. Finally, having heard this morning on the radio and TV about 3 Catholic Schools with teachers on strike, I'm wondering what union covers the Holy Cross teachers, and when their contract expires?
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2 comments:
I am a parent whose daughter attends Holy Cross.
1. Skirt length is an issue. It is not enforced at the school however be a parent. If you don't let her wear a mini skirt to public school don't let her wear it there.
2. The tablets work great. Most teachers are tech savy enough to use the tablet the way it us supposed to be used. They do not rely on it or use it all of the time. It is a mix of tablet, chalkboard etc.
3. e-mail the school
4. Not sure about the union but that shouldn't be a concern. The schools teachers are very dedicated people. All schools have those issues.
Overall we are very happy with Holy Cross. Good kids, ethics & moral direction and a very warm feeling when your there. I am confident if you choose to send your daughter, you will not be disappointed.
Professor
Your blog was sent to me by a Holy Cross parent and I would like address your questions as the principal of Holy Cross High School.
1. There is a dress code and the skort length can be problematic. Male faculty will not address length and female faculty are doing the best they can.(50% male-50% female faculty makeup)The leadership team it trying to address the issue but I believe it is bigger then Holy Cross High School. (Please note: 99% college acceptance rate, +50% of the graduating class (2009) recieved grants and scholarships amounting to +14 million dollars. Lateness to school is minimal, only one fight over the last two years. Just to mention other parts of our discipline code)
2. Holy Cross views technology as a tool to engage and enhance our students learning. We are trying to replace the pencil/pen/chauk and give our students a tool to help in the learning process in a way that a pencil, etc. cannot. We are convinced that a "one to one" computing environment enhances our schedule. (72 minute classes) Mrs. Germano, associate principal, continues to research ways to infuse technology into our classrooms. Holy Cross has made a sizable investment to move the delivery of the cirriculum to the cutting edge. Our teachers have received training in many applications since 2002 when every teacher was given a laptop computer. We currently use tablet PC's with both teachers and students.
3. 27% of our students receive financial aid, many based on need. There are some merit scholarships but the majority of our financial aid awards are based on need. The "at cost" tuition for this school year is +$10K but tuition is $8350. Every student is subsidized by the free will giving of our many stakeholders. The Office of Institutional Advanvement continues to work finding alternate sources of funding.
4. Holy Cross is in the second year of a four year contract. Our teachers are members of the Association of Catholic School Teachers 1776. We have an excellent relationship and work hard to find common ground in our disagreements. We have excellent working relationships and labor harmony for the last 10 years.
I would be glad to answer any other questions you may have.
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