Beyond Inclusion: Empowerment 

NCEATALK

Written by Molly McMahon, director of leadership programs, Barbara and Patrick Roche Center for Catholic Education, [email protected]

It is no secret that the quality of K-12 education in the United States varies greatly by geographic region and neighborhood. Often, there are schools less than a few miles apart that have vastly disparate outcomes, not only in terms of academic achievement, but also in terms of school safety and student services. This was the case nearly 30 years ago in the Chicago neighborhood of Pilsen. Parents were afraid to send their children to high schools ridden with gang violence in the 1990s. In contrast, students were excelling at college preparatory high schools in nearby neighborhoods of Chicago. Wanting to address this disparity, Jesuit priests established a college preparatory high school in 1996 named Cristo Rey, to specifically meet the needs of underserved students in Pilsen.

The goal of the Cristo Rey school is not to funnel students in and out of a system created for them, but rather to give them the tools to uniquely impact and mold the world around them. In a world with so many crises and inequities, it can be easy to think that we need to serve our students by providing everything for them and protecting them from the world, but this does not build sustainability. Since 1996, Cristo Rey has become a 39-school network across the United States, helping students find, within themselves, how they want to live and lead in the world. We share some common themes and strategies used by the Cristo Rey network to move students beyond inclusion and towards empowerment in school and beyond. To prepare students for the real world, it is not enough to simply say that they deserve to be included in a high-quality education and safe school community; they also need the tools to build systems of empowerment themselves. Please visit The Playbook for Whole Child Education in U.S. Catholic Schools to learn more about the Cristo Rey Network, as well as an in-depth analysis of how the holistic development of the child impacts their learning and long-term success in life. A few ideas shared by the network to actualize this vision of Catholic education are below.

1. Character development and spiritual formation: men and women for others

To give students a strong foundation, it is important to emphasize values that are rooted in human dignity. A mindset of social justice should be cultivated in students, helping them to see life from the perspective of the most vulnerable: the poor, the disabled, the marginalized… Through prayer, retreat and service opportunities in all Cristo Rey schools, students are invited to reflect on what advantages and disadvantages they have faced in their life, and how they can use these experiences to give back to the community, becoming “men and women for others.” Character development and spiritual formation are inextricably linked because character is not merely formed in the intellect; it must be experienced. Prayer and reflection allow students to process their experiences of service with God, who will be their ultimate, lifelong guide. 

2. Personalizing diversity, equity and belonging: Cura personalis approach

Schools are diverse communities with students who come from different family backgrounds and life experiences. Administrators and staff at Cristo Rey recognize, curate for and celebrate diversity by having culturally inclusive events and extracurricular activities. The school has resources in place to communicate with parents in their preferred language, so they are part of their child’s education without any barriers. The goal is to move beyond inclusion to a real sense of belonging: schools should not merely be accepting of different cultures but creating an atmosphere where these cultures are valued.

Cura personalis is an Ignatian value which translates to “care for the whole, unique person.” A culturally adept school community understands that students cannot be put into categories by their cultural background or single facets of their identity. Every human person is entirely unique; therefore, education and interventions must be tailored to each individual, while taking into account the many layers of intersectional identity. Well-rounded schools like Cristo Rey, thus, have services such as counseling, mentoring and tutoring, which allow staff to get to know students one-on-one and create personalized plans that take into account the unique needs, gifts and passions of each student.

3. Work and college preparation

In today’s world, a college education is highly valued by employers. Acknowledging this reality and giving students the tools they need to gain admission to college can be a significant indicator of a student’s lifelong success. Providing students with college counseling early on and monitoring their progress, especially for first generation students going to college, is crucial to create equity and give students a fair chance at college admissions. Additionally, with so many graduates competing for entry level positions in a competitive job market, work experience is an invaluable edge when applying to enter the workforce. 

Cristo Rey empowers students to be a part of funding their own college preparatory education, while also gaining work experience through their innovative Corporate Work-Study Program (CWSP). In this program, students are placed in entry-level jobs in local businesses and organizations, where they work five, full-time days per month. The income generated from these jobs helps to offset a significant portion of the students’ tuition costs, empowering them financially to contribute to their education. Looking to the exemplary model of Cristo Rey, schools should/could explore whether a model like this meets the needs and hopes of students and families, or other models that serve the school community in preparation for college and gainful employment to contribute to society. 

In conclusion, the goal of education is to empower students to be part of changing the world they live in by empowering them to see their God-given talents, gifts and unique contributions to the world. The goal of a holistic education is for educators to empower the next generation to fulfill their purpose. If our students leave our Catholic schools with moral character, self-confidence in their own abilities and the competencies to contribute to society, then we will know we have holistically formed them in mind, body and soul. Please read more about holistic education empowering students towards a bright future in our Playbook.

Want More?

Join us for an Author’s Corner webinar series with the authors of The Playbook for Whole-Child Education in U.S. Catholic Schools:

The Playbook for Whole-Child Education in U.S. Catholic Schools is available for purchase online at the NCEA Store.