Catholic education remains one of the most compelling expressions of the Church’s mission to form disciples. Despite decades of decline in the number of schools and students, many Catholic schools have been experiencing renewal by returning to the great legacy of the Catholic tradition. Renewing Catholic Schools offers an overview of the reasons behind this renewal and practical suggestions for administrators, clergy, teachers, and parents on how to begin the process of reinvigoration. The book begins by situating Catholic education within the Church’s mission. Fidelity to Catholic mission and identity, including a commitment to the fulness of truth, provides the fundamental mark for the true success of Catholic education. The Catholic intellectual tradition, in particular, established by figures such as Augustine, Boethius, and Aquinas, can continue to direct Catholic schools, providing a depth of vision to overcome today’s educational crisis. To transcend the now dominate secular model of education, Catholic schools can align their curriculum more closely to the Catholic tradition. One touchpoint comes from Archbishop Michael Miller’s The Holy See’s Teaching on Catholic Schools, which the book explores as a source for practical guidance. It also offers a Catholic vision for curriculum, examining the full range of subjects from gymnasium, the fine arts, the liberal arts, literature, history, and catechesis, all of which lead to a well-formed graduate, inspired by beauty, attune to truth, and ordered toward the good. Finally, the book provides a practical vision for renewing the school through the formation of teachers, creation of a school community, and by offering suggestions for implementation of a stronger Catholic mission and philosophy of education. The teacher, ultimately, should strive to teach like Jesus, while the community should joyfully embody the school’s mission, making it a lived reality. The book concludes with examples of Catholic schools that have successfully undergone renewal.

Archbishop J. Michael Miller distills the Church's teachings on Catholic education and explains the five marks of all good Catholic schools.

10. Plato from The Republic -- 11. St. Basil the Great from Address to Young Men on the Reading of Greek Literature -- 12. Hugh of St. Victor from Didascalicon -- 13. St. Bonaventure from Reduction of the Arts to Theology -- 14. St. Thomas Aquinas from Summa Theologiae -- 15. Bl. John Henry Newman from The Idea of a University -- 16. Jacques Maritain from the Education at the Crossroads -- Part III: The Methods of Teaching -- 17. Plato from Meno -- 18. St. Augustine from On Christian Teaching -- 19. St. Thomas Aquinas from Summa Theologiae

First published in 2004. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

In the World Library of Educationalists, international experts compile career-long collections of what they judge to be their finest pieces – extracts from books, key article, salient research findings, major theoretical and practical contributions – so the world can read them in a single manageable volume. Readers will be able to follow the themes and strands and see how their work contributes to the development of the field. Gerald Grace is renowned internationally for his research and teaching in the areas of Catholic education, spirituality, leadership and effectiveness in faith schooling, and educational policy. In Faith, Mission and Challenge in Catholic Education, Gerald Grace brings together 15 of his key writings in one place. Starting with a specially written Introduction, which gives an overview of his career and contextualises his selection within the development of the field, the chapters cover: - the interactions of faith, mission and spirituality in the development of Catholic education - how to replace ideology, polemic and prejudice in discussions about faith-based schooling with evidence-based argument - understanding the distinctive nature of concepts such as ‘leadership’ and ‘effectiveness’ in faith-based education - using ‘mission integrity’ as a key concept for the evaluation of contemporary Catholic schooling - examining the interactions of Catholic values, Catholic curriculum and educational policy developments. This book not only shows how Gerald Grace’s thinking developed during his career, it also gives an insight into the development of the fields to which he contributed.

Today’s pluralist and multicultural society raises questions about how to teach religiously and ethnically diverse students in Catholic schools. A Catholic Philosophy of Education addresses these challenges by examining the documents from the Roman Congregation for Catholic Education alongside the writings of Jacques Maritain and Bernard Lonergan. Mario D’Souza proposes a contemporary formulation for a Catholic philosophy of education in which the ideals of Catholicism form the basis for the mission of the Catholic school. Drawing on the Church’s educational documents, and informed by Maritain and Lonergan, D’Souza explains how the unifying anthropology of Catholic education enables Catholic schools to serve amidst diversity by avoiding the extremes of religious exclusivism and fundamentalism, on the one hand, and relativism and individualism, on the other. He explores the aims of Catholic schools in relation to students, teachers, and society, and the relationship between goodness, discipline, and knowledge. He argues that students must be educated for personal and communal freedom and authenticity, and to strive for the common good, suggesting how a Catholic philosophy of education can provide the framework for such personal and communal transformation. Essential reading for new and experienced Catholic educators, A Catholic Philosophy of Education demonstrates that Maritain and Lonergan have much to offer in service of an education that is liberating, instructive, illuminating, and integrative.

Catholic schools have long contributed to the mission of the Church and to the flourishing of society. During the past few decades, however, Catholic schools have suffered severe losses, both in their religious identity and in their capacity to attract students. With penetrating insights, pointed anecdotes, and drawing upon recent empirical studies and Church documents, Ryan Topping describes the near collapse of Catholic education in North America and uncovers the enduring principles of authentic renewal. In The Case for Catholic Education you'll discover: . the three purposes of Catholic education . why virtue is more important than self-esteem . the elements of a true "common core" curriculum . essential differences between "progressive" and "Catholic" models of learning . helpful study questions and a research guide "This is an accessible and eminently readable book on a topic which no Catholic can afford to ignore."--Joseph Pearce, Aquinas College, Nashville, TN "The Case for Catholic Education speaks to the heart of the debate over whether Catholic education is 'worth it.'"--Sister John Mary Fleming, O.P., Executive Director for Catholic Education, USCCB "The Case for Catholic Education will surely play a vital role in reinvigorating the handing-on of essential Catholic truths."--Sister Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz, O.P., Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, Ann Arbor, MI "This short book contains an astonishing wealth of insights and practical suggestions."--Dr. Keith Cassidy, President of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy, Barry's Bay, ON, Canada "Ryan Topping has written an engaging and coherent analysis of the state of Catholic education in North America, which will be useful for teachers in Britain, too."--Dr. Paul Shrimpton, Magdalen College School, Oxford, UK "An insightful view of our threatened patrimony and a framed vision for what educating and forming our children may still yet become."--Dr. Jason Fugikawa, Dean of Academics and Faculty, Holy Family Academy, Manchester, NH "The Case for Catholic Education includes sound advice in regards to the teaching of Good Books and then Great Books in the high school years, and for including Christ throughout an education."--Patrick S.J. Carmack, Founder of the Angelicum Academy and the Great Books Academy homeschool programs "It is impossible to read this book without feeling stirred to the joy--and the work--of better educating our young people."--Patrick Conley, Director of Faith Formation, Cathedral of St. Paul, MN "In his latest offering, Ryan Topping presents a lucid and lively exploration of the foundations of a true Catholic education."--Veronica Burchard, Vice President for Education Programs, Sophia Institute for Teachers, Bedford, NH "Every Catholic educator and school administer should read and re-read this fine book."--Dr. Jason West, President and Academic Dean, Newman Theological College, Edmonton, AB, Canada "This engaging book combines incisive appraisal and exposition with inspiring encouragement and exhortation."--Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P., Dominican Province of St. Joseph, New York, NY Ryan N. S. Topping earned a doctorate in theology from the University of Oxford and is a Fellow of Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, Merrimack, NH. He is the author of Happiness and Wisdom (CUA Press, 2012), Rebuilding Catholic Culture (Sophia Institute Press, 2013), and Renewing the Mind: A Reader in the Philosophy of Catholic Education (CUA Press, 2015)."