Key Takeaways
Choosing a Catholic school requires families to compare curriculum, faith formation, student support, extracurricular activities, tuition, and admissions requirements.
Catholic education incorporates religious instruction and spiritual formation into the school experience. Families should understand how these expectations affect coursework, worship, service, and daily campus life.
Accreditation can show that a school has completed an external review process, but families should still examine its individual programs, policies, and student outcomes.
Academic support varies by school and grade level. Parents should ask how teachers monitor progress and what assistance is available when a student needs additional instruction.
Athletics, arts, clubs, and leadership programs may contribute to student development, but offerings can change according to enrollment, staffing, and available facilities.
Tuition is only one part of the cost of private education. Registration charges, uniforms, technology, transportation, activities, and other fees should also be considered.
A campus visit allows families to observe the learning environment, speak with staff members, and determine whether a school appears suitable for the individual student.
Begin With the Student’s Academic Needs
Review the Curriculum at the Relevant Grade Level
A school should be evaluated according to the needs of the student who will attend it. A preschool family may prioritize early literacy, play-based learning, supervision, and communication with teachers. A middle school family may be more concerned with academic transitions, study habits, and preparation for high school.
High school families should review graduation requirements, available courses, college eligibility expectations, and academic planning services. They may also want to ask whether honors, advanced, dual-enrollment, or elective courses are consistently available.
Families comparing catholic schools in temecula may encounter Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School, which serves students from preschool through high school. According to its published curriculum, high school subjects include religious studies, English, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, world languages, health, physical education, and electives.
The presence of these subjects does not show how every student will experience them. Families should request current course information and ask how placement decisions are made.
The school describes one aspect of its academic approach this way:
“We help students learn to think clearly and choose what matters.”
— Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac High School academics page
Because this statement comes from the school itself, families can use it as a starting point for questions. During a campus visit, they might ask how critical thinking is taught, how writing is evaluated, and what kinds of projects students complete.
Ask How Progress and Support Are Handled
Course descriptions provide useful information, but they do not explain how a school responds when a student struggles or needs more challenging work.
Parents can ask how often progress is reported, whether teachers offer extra assistance, and how the school communicates academic concerns. It may also be useful to learn whether tutoring, intervention programs, accelerated coursework, or academic accommodations are available.
Class size is another factor to investigate. A published student-to-teacher ratio does not necessarily represent the number of students in every classroom. Families should ask about the actual size of classes at the relevant grade level.
Students with diagnosed learning differences may require specific accommodations or specialized services. Private schools do not always provide the same programs available through public school districts. Parents should describe the student’s needs clearly and confirm what the school can realistically provide before enrolling.
Understand the Role of Catholic Identity
Faith Formation, Worship, and Service
Catholic education includes more than the addition of a religion class. Faith may influence classroom discussions, behavioral expectations, community activities, and the way the school defines its educational purpose.
Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac identifies itself as a Christ-centered school rooted in the Roman Catholic faith. Its mission includes the goal:
“To prepare youth and young adults as leaders at the service of others.”
— Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School mission statement
Families should ask how this mission is applied throughout the school year. Relevant questions may address Mass attendance, religious instruction, retreats, prayer, sacramental preparation, and service requirements.
Parents should also determine whether expectations differ according to grade level. A high school student, for example, may have required theology courses or community service obligations that do not apply in the same way to younger students.
Community Expectations for Students and Families
Catholic schools may admit students from different religious backgrounds, but all enrolled students are generally expected to respect the school’s Catholic identity and participate in required parts of the program.
Non-Catholic families should ask whether students must attend Mass, take theology classes, participate in prayer, or complete faith-related assignments. Understanding these expectations before enrollment can prevent misunderstandings later.
Parents should also review the family handbook. Policies may address attendance, uniforms, discipline, technology, communication, volunteering, and student conduct.
Family involvement may be encouraged through conferences, school events, fundraising, service projects, or parent organizations. However, parents should confirm which activities are optional and which involve required service hours or financial commitments.
Look Beyond the Classroom
Activities, Athletics, Arts, and Leadership
Extracurricular activities can give students opportunities to develop interests, build friendships, and practice collaboration. Available programs may include athletics, visual arts, performing arts, student government, academic clubs, service groups, and faith-based activities.
Families should request a current list of programs instead of assuming that every activity mentioned in older materials remains available. Some activities may depend on participation levels, coaching availability, or student interest.
Questions to ask include:
- Which programs are offered at the student’s grade level?
- Are auditions, tryouts, or additional fees required?
- How frequently do teams or clubs meet?
- Does participation involve travel or weekend events?
- Can students suggest or establish new clubs?
- How are academic responsibilities balanced with activities?
A lengthy activity list is not automatically better. The more important consideration is whether the student will have realistic opportunities to participate in programs that match their interests.
Student Well-Being and Available Support
Students may need social, emotional, academic, or college-planning assistance at different stages of their education. Families should ask who provides this support and whether that person has other responsibilities at the school.
For younger students, questions may focus on classroom adjustment, peer relationships, and communication between teachers and families. At the high school level, students may need help selecting courses, meeting graduation requirements, researching colleges, or considering career options.
Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac states that its high school students receive academic and college-planning support. Families considering these services should ask how often students meet with a counselor, whether appointments are individual or group-based, and what resources are included.
Parents should also ask how the school responds to bullying, emotional distress, or a mental health concern. A school counselor may provide limited support, but school-based assistance is not a substitute for clinical mental health treatment when a student needs specialized care.
Compare the Practical Enrollment Factors
Admissions, Tuition, and Financial Assistance
Private-school admissions may involve an application, student records, recommendations, interviews, assessments, or placement testing. Procedures can differ by grade level and may change between enrollment periods.
Families should request a written explanation of the current process. They should also ask whether admission is competitive, whether waiting lists are used, and what happens if the school cannot meet a student’s academic or support needs.
The total cost of attendance may extend beyond tuition. Possible expenses include:
- Application and registration charges
- Uniforms
- Books and classroom materials
- Technology fees or devices
- Athletics and extracurricular activities
- Field trips and retreats
- Transportation
- Meals
- Graduation-related expenses
Financial assistance may be available, but an application does not guarantee an award. Families should confirm deadlines, eligibility criteria, required financial documents, and whether aid must be requested again each year.
All tuition, fee, and assistance information should be verified directly with the school before a family makes a financial commitment.
High School Planning and Future Options
Families evaluating a high school should examine both graduation requirements and preparation for the student’s next step. College preparation may be important, but not every student will follow the same path.
Parents and students can ask how the school supports college applications, vocational interests, scholarships, standardized testing, and career exploration. They may also want to review whether courses meet current University of California and California State University eligibility requirements.
Published acceptance rates and scholarship totals require context. Families should ask how figures were calculated, which graduating class they represent, and whether they include all students. A school-reported statistic should not be treated as a guarantee of an individual student’s outcome.
Before deciding, families should compare several options and consider the student’s academic needs, interests, personality, and comfort with the school’s religious expectations. The objective is not to identify one type of school as universally best. It is to find an environment that can support the particular student.
FAQ
Do students have to be Catholic to attend a Catholic school?
Requirements differ among schools. Some Catholic schools admit students from other religious traditions, but enrolled students are generally expected to respect the Catholic identity of the school and participate in required classes and activities. Families should confirm the expectations directly with the admissions office.
How is religion included in the curriculum?
Religion may be taught as a separate subject and incorporated into prayer, worship, service, ethical discussions, and campus activities. The degree of integration may vary by school and grade level.
What extracurricular activities are available?
Offerings may include athletics, arts, student leadership, academic clubs, service organizations, and faith-based programs. Families should request the current list because activities may change from one year to another.
Do Catholic schools use classroom technology?
Many schools use computers, tablets, digital learning platforms, or classroom presentation systems. Parents should ask which devices are provided, which must be purchased, and how student privacy and responsible technology use are addressed.
Is financial assistance available?
Some schools provide need-based aid, scholarships, or payment plans. Eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and award amounts vary. Families should confirm current information before applying.
Are class sizes smaller than those in public schools?
They may be, but class sizes differ by school, subject, and grade. Families should ask about actual enrollment in the classes their student would attend instead of relying only on a school-wide ratio.
Are services available for students with learning differences?
Available support varies considerably. Parents should share relevant evaluations and ask specifically about accommodations, trained personnel, intervention programs, and the school’s ability to implement an existing learning plan.
What should families observe during a campus visit?
Families can observe classroom organization, student interactions, campus security, facilities, and the general learning environment. They should also ask about curriculum, discipline, communication, student support, religious expectations, tuition, and additional fees.
