On the Importance of Catholic Schools

“The work of teaching is one of the most important in the Church.”
~St. John Baptist De La Salle

Today, we often take for granted Catholic schools. Most likely either you or someone you know attended a Catholic school.  A Catholic education is often seen as top quality, and Catholic schools are considered some of our finest places of learning. 

The modern concept of education dates back to the late 17th century France and one individual in particular: St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.  His work was not only revolutionary in method, but also unique in terms of educating the poor and underprivileged. Some 300 years later, de La Salle’s vision of educating those most in need remains strong in the United States through the Miguel model school.

The Miguel school system was established in 1993 with the sole purpose of educating under-served children, focusing on students in middle school.  The system was named after St. Miguel Cordero, a Christian Brother who dedicated his life to the education of poor Ecuadorians.  Recent news about families and children fleeing their homes in Central and South American to find better educational and economic opportunities demonstrates that the need for quality education is as great today as in the time of St. Miguel.

Here in Washington D.C., a Miguel school was established in 2002 as an extension of St. John’s College High School with 8 students – San Miguel School of Washington.  It rapidly grew, and this past year the school graduated its largest class of 23 students and currently has a total of sixty-three Latino boys in grades six to eight.

All San Miguel students come into sixth-grade from DC public schools and, on average, have reading and math skills of a fourth-grader.  By the end of their time at San Miguel as eighth graders, they are 100% proficient in these subjects. [1]  This success results from their own hard work and that of experienced teachers and tutors.   Additionally, San Miguel, like most Miguel-style schools, operates on an extended day and year-round school program (200 school days vs. a traditional 160 days).

This hard work pays off - 98% of San Miguel graduates have either completed their high school diploma or are in the process of doing so. The graduation rate for Latino males in DC public schools is 46% [2].  Clearly, San Miguel and its unique style of education is paying off.

In addition to my role at the Catholic Apostolate Center, I work as an intern in the Development Office at San Miguel School. It has been an exciting time and a true blessing to work to make sure that San Miguel students receive the education they deserve.  It has helped me to grow in trust for the good work that the Church does as a whole.  We as Catholics have the obligation to serve others, as apostles of Christ. We have the responsibility to do our part in the greater effort of Christ’s mission.  San Miguel School truly changes the lives of its students. By serving these at risk Latino boys, I know that I am changing the world and trying to do my part.   


Patrick Fricchione is the Research and Production Associate for the Catholic Apostolate Center and an intern in the Development Office of San Miguel School.


[1] San Miguel School DC, website, sanmigueldc.org.

[2] Statistic from the National Center of Education Statistics.