High school choice of prime importance, says educator |
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Thursday, 05 February 2009 01:00 |
TOLEDO—When considering a Catholic school, Oblate of St. Francis de Sales Father Ronald Olszewski, former principal and current president of Toledo St. Francis de Sales High School, believes picking the right school is paramount.
“Parents should not underestimate the importance of choosing the proper high school for a young student. It influences so many things, from further schooling and career opportunities to establishing friendships that will last a lifetime. The best help that parents can give their son or daughter,” he continues, “is to take a very involved approach to exploring their choices. High school visitations; meeting with faculty, administration and current students; and above all, asking key questions are all important elements.”
Fr. Olszewski stresses the importance of the school being the proper fit for each individual child because he says education is not a one-size-fits-all proposition.
“It is important for parents to ask if the school’s environment is comfortable for their child, if they will be accepted for who they are, are the students the kind of people you want your child to associate with and be like, do teachers have mutual respect for one another, and inquire about the social values of the school,” he says.
He also emphasizes the importance of checking into what academic programs are offered. “Will the academic program challenge your son and prepare him for the next level; does the school have a strong AP Program — what kind of support is available to meet your son’s academic and personal needs? What support or counseling is available when applying to colleges?”
However, with more than 30 years of experience as a principal and president of a college preparatory school, Fr. Olszewski can not overemphasize the importance of a high school’s primary concern being the specific needs of each individual student in the school in the areas of academic, spiritual, social and physical development. According to Fr. Olszewski, parents should determine if teachers and coaches want students to succeed, and if they will give the necessary support to their child to achieve his individual potential.
Rick Michalak, director of admissions at St. Francis de Sales, agrees with Fr. Olszewski’s checklist, and also believes the cost of a private, Catholic education is a sound investment for both the student and the family.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 31 March 2009 15:14 |
