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Today's Poll!Helias looks to reverse declining enrollment
School striving to better market itself
Sunday, November 6, 2011
The numbers of students attending a Catholic school are dropping. Nationally, the number of parish elementary schools has dropped by nearly half since the mid-1960s.
At Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City, enrollment is about 770 today, compared with 915 in 2004.
“This is the first time in 56 years we’re having to market the school,” said Stan Ochsner, dean of students. A stagnant economy and rising fuel costs could contribute to the declining enrollment. But, the total number of children going through the Catholic elementary schools is down, too.
See for yourself
An open house at Helias Catholic High School will be 6-8:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at 1305 Swifts Highway.
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Comments
JCsleeper 1 year, 6 months ago
Tuition keeps going up, but many families haven't seen wage increases for years. $17,000 is probably a reasonable price for four years of private school, but some folks see this amount applied to college costs. Not everyone wants to be college prepped, so many opt for taking trade classes at Nichols.
Gotigers 1 year, 6 months ago
It was mentioned numerous times about the 'Catholic' student. If they want to grow enrollment, I would think they would try to welcome Christian students as well. Just a thought. Have heard good things about Helias.
newone 1 year, 6 months ago
They accept all christian religions, not just catholic. It is just that most of the students that do go are catholic.
Sequoia 1 year, 6 months ago
I don't think you HAVE to be Christian, or any specific religion, to attend Helias. I think anybody can go to Helias if they pay the tuition and follow the rules. You will receive Catholic instruction and attend Mass, and I think there is at least one class that tests you on the various Catholic prayers. Most students are Catholic, but I don't think that any particular faith is a prerequisite.
tonto_goldberg 1 year, 6 months ago
I think you've got the best summary. It's a good school but you have to pay the tuition and follow the rules. They offer lots of advanced placement classes but no special education and no vocational-technical classes. Their protestant enrollment runs around 20-25% depending on the year.
newone 1 year, 6 months ago
And yes, Helias is a great school but like Graceful said you have to learn the catholic faith in a Catholic School and that does turn a lot of people off.
tonto_goldberg 1 year, 6 months ago
I don't see that as a negative. If you live in Jefferson City very long you will have catholic friends and neighbors, and probably learn at least the basics of Roman Catholicism. You just don't get to take the bread and wine at a wedding or funeral mass, or their kids' First Communion, or other special occasions.
soxfan 1 year, 6 months ago
we here in chicago have the same problem .the city is now renting out the schools and now they are public schools .looks like a national problem.the only way seems to be vouchers like in indiana don l chicago
muleman 1 year, 6 months ago
In the public schools a student can play varsity sports without coming from St. Joe, I.C, or St. Peters parish.When is the last time they had a student from a small town on the varsity football team? At Helias if you are not from the "big three" you are nothing. Mom was in the first graduating class there, did her first 3 years at St. Peters high school. I graduated from Helias in 1979. My nephew graduated in 2007 and we all saw the line between the "haves" and "have nots". If this is "christian" behavior , they can have it.
boobus 1 year, 6 months ago
muleman, I am sorry you feel this way but I feel I need set the record straight. Actually this year there were several players. My son did play some varsity this year and we belong to St Francis Xavier. In fact there were two brothers from Freeburg that were starters and a young man who went to Trinity Lutheran that was a starter as well just to name a few. When a high percentage of the student base comes from the "big 3" you would expect that percentage be about the same for athletes or participation in other activiies.
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