Catholic School enrollment  
 has soared, says Monsignor  
 David Cassato, Vicar  
 of Catholic Schools. 
 “We  have  gained  over  
 1,000  new  students  this  
 year,” he says. 
 Parents  are  choosing  to  
 provide  a  Catholic  School  
 education for their children  
 because it builds character  
 and faith, while acquiring  
 the  necessary  academic  
 skills  to  be  successful  in  
 the world.  
 “Many saw that we were  
 able to function throughout  
 the pandemic, from  
 September 2020- June 2021,  
 while  the  public  system  
 was struggling,” says Msgr.  
 Cassato.  
 The smaller  classrooms  
 have  also  been  beneficial  
 as  they  offer exposure  to  a  
 smaller  amount  of  people,  
 and provide a sense of community  
 for  kids  and  families. 
 For  those  who  may  not  
 be ready for in-class learning, 
   the  new  St.  Thomas  
 Catholic Academy  is available, 
   where  learning  can  
 take place entirely on line.  
 Msgr. Cassato notes that  
 a Catholic School education  
 is  highly  esteemed.  
 “Catholic schools have a  
 track record of outperforming  
 public schools. Our  
 STEM  programs make  science, 
  technology, engineering, 
  and math  come  to  life  
 for boys and girls, and they  
 prepare  them  to  thrive  in  
 this changing world.” 
 A curriculum that meets  
 New  York  State  standards  
 is maintained. At the same  
 time,  the  focus  is  on  educating  
 children’s  minds,  
 bodies,  and  souls,  allowing  
 them  to  grow  through  
 hands-on  learning  that  integrates  
 technology.  The  
 average  class  size  is  between  
 25-28 students. “This  
 ensures  that  children  get  
 the attention and care they  
 need to thrive,” he says. 
 Developing children as  
 a whole is imperative. “We  
 help them gain an appreciation  
 for  the world around  
 them,” the monsignor says.  
 Catholic schools offer, “One  
 of  the  most  diverse  school  
 systems  in  the  country,  
 where students of all backgrounds  
 can excel academically, 
   and  learn  how  our  
 faith can unite us.” 
 Teachers  and  staff  are  
 committed  to  students and  
 their  families.  “They  consider  
 their work a vocation,  
 and  see  that  every  student  
 learns  and  knows  the  love  
 of Christ through religious  
 education  and  the  experience  
 of living in a Catholic  
 community,” Msgr. Cassato  
 says. 
 Choosing a Catholic  
 school  education  is  a  big  
 decision,  which  is  why  
 parents  are  encouraged  to  
 schedule  a  meeting  with  
 the admissions team. “I invite  
 all to visit our schools,  
 meet the teachers and parents, 
  and talk to the principals,” 
 TIMESLEDGER   |   Q 18     NS.COM   |   JAN. 28 - FEB. 3, 2022 
   says  Msgr.  Cassato.  
 “It’s  a  decision  that  will  
 have  a  significant  impact  
 on their future, and we are  
 here to help you choose the  
 right Catholic school for  
 your child.” 
 Every  effort  is made  by  
 the  Brooklyn  and  Queens  
 Catholic  schools  and  academies  
 to  keep  costs  low  
 and  tuition  affordable.  
 “Our hope  is  that no  child  
 is denied a Catholic school  
 education  due  to  financial  
 constraints,”  says  Msgr.  
 Cassato. Yet,  they  are well  
 aware  that  choosing  a  
 Catholic School education -  
 where tuition can run from  
 $4500 - $5,000 per year - is a  
 financial sacrifice and commitment  
 for many families.  
 As  a  result,  there  is financial  
 aid  for  those who  cannot  
 afford it.  
 Payment  options  are  
 available, and are handled  
 by  speaking  directly  with  
 the staff at the school. “We  
 are  fortunate  to  partner  
 with  Futures  in  Education, 
   the  scholarship  organization  
 of  the  Diocese  
 of  Brooklyn,”  says  Msgr.  
 Cassato. “They administer  
 several  scholarship  programs, 
   providing  partial  
 tuition assistance for families  
 demonstrating  financial  
 need  to attend a Catholic  
 academy,  or  school  in  
 Brooklyn  or  Queens,  in  
 grades K-8.” 
 Futures  in  Education  
 funds are  limited,  and are  
 not  available  to  Catholic  
 high school students.   
 Disease  of  Brooklyn  
 Catholic Schools The Office  
 of  the  Superintendent,  
 Catholic School Support  
 Services,  310 Prospect Park  
 West  in  Park  Slope,  (718)  
 965-7300,  www.Catholic  
 Schoolsbq.org.  
 Please  note  that  the  
 Diocese of Brooklyn encompasses  
 Brooklyn  and  
 Queens. For information on  
 scholarship  opportunities,  
 visit  FuturesInEducation. 
 org/scholarships. 
 EDUCAT I O N  PROFI LE 
 Chose a Catholic School education for your child 
  
 
				
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		/NS.COM
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