BACK ON TRACK: PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Nan Dickson/Telegram file
Daniella Holst, 9, right, of Temple gives candy to Eli Ramirez, 5, left, and his cousin Emily Ramirez, 5, both of Troy, during St. Mary’s Catholic School’s Fall Festival Trunk or Treat celebration during October in Temple. Daniella is dressed as a jellyfish while Eli is dressed as Spiderman and Emily is dressed as Wonder Woman.
Private Christian schools provide education BY JOEL VALLEY
TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
Many private schools in Bell County — including Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Temple, Central Texas Christian School in Temple, St. Mary’s Catholic School in Temple and Providence Preparatory School in Belton — are dedicated to providing their students a Christianbased education. In April, St. Mary’s Catholic School, 1019 S. Seventh St., announced it will begin its transition to a “Catholic classical education” this fall.
List of area charter and private schools. Page 45 “Classical education will be phased in over several years, as teachers introduce the methods and content into their classrooms,” Renee Morales, St. Mary’s Catholic School’s director development, said. “In the first year, the focus will be on deeper faith integration, history and language arts.” However, the transition also is aimed to place an increased focus on age-appropriate methods and original sources.
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“Modern education is almost totally based on textbooks,” Morales said. “(With original sources), students will read original sources, not just interpretations through textbooks. For example, rather than reading about the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, they will read and study the actual documents.” Morales said parents can learn more about what a classical education entails online at bit.ly/ 3fi2F5V. In Belton, Providence Preparatory School, 506 N. Main St., already has implemented a clas-
sical education approach in its classrooms. “We approach learning from a sense of wonder,” according to a statement from Providence Preparatory School. “We are amazed by God’s saving kindness to us, and by His glory that we see in all of life. All staff and board members affirm a view of life that is awe-inspired, historically Christian and broadly evangelical.” The institution’s campus also follows a university-style schedule. “Students in fourth grade or lower attend classes led by proJune 27, 2021
