CV NEWS FEED // The Newman Guide, known for its post-secondary school endorsements, is expanding to recognize K-12 institutions “that are committed to upholding the standards of faithful Catholic education.”
Since 2007, the Newman Guide, published by the Cardinal Newman Society, has provided a list of Catholic colleges that “have strong policies and standards that uphold Catholic identity from academics and athletics to faculty hiring and campus life.” The Newman Guide currently recognizes 23 colleges, including schools such as Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ave Maria University, the University of Dallas, and Christendom College.
Now, the Newman Guide will also recognize elementary and high schools that meet their standards, which includes upholding their Five Principles of Catholic Identity in Education:
- Catholic education is rooted in and inspired by the divine, salvific mission of the Catholic Church.
- Catholic education models Christian communion and Catholic identity.
- Catholic education teaches students to encounter Christ in prayer, Scripture, and Sacrament.
- Catholic education integrally forms students as physical, intellectual, and spiritual beings called to perfect humanity in the fullness of Christ.
- Catholic education imparts a “Christian vision of the world, of life, of culture, and of history,” ordering “the whole of human culture to the news of salvation.”
“The culture’s assault on the family, and, in particular, the Catholic faith, is intensifying and we have to protect young Catholics from losing their faith,” Kelly Salomon, Vice President of Newman Guide Programs, told CatholicVote. “We want Catholic families to know the importance of faithful Catholic education for the entirety of a Catholic’s life—not just the college years”
Five schools are currently included: Rhodora J. Donahue Academy (FL), Mount Royal Academy (NH), St. Joseph’s Catholic School (SC), Holy Spirit Academy (MN), and Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School (TX). All five schools provide a classical and/or liberal arts education.
The Newman Guide is also expanding to include graduate programs. According to a press release from the Cardinal Newman Society, “At the graduate level, the expansion of The Newman Guide is a response to an ever-pressing need. For years, Catholic families have asked The Cardinal Newman Society for guidance in choosing a Catholic graduate program.” Multiple programs are currently in the process of applying for recognition, according to the same press release.
K-12 schools interested in pursuing recognition can submit applications through the Newman Guide website.
[Edited: a previous version of the article incorrectly named the school the Rhodora J. Donovan Academy. The name has been updated to: Rhodora J. Donahue Academy.]
