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3) STJ is more concerned with maintaining it’s financial viability than its mission as a Catholic college preparatory school.

Perhaps the most ridiculous of all claims, the notion that STJ has abandoned it Catholic-Christian identity is the most untrue, yet one which seems to always maintain some amount of traction. Yet, it only requires a few days among the student population to realize the farce of such a suggestion. Examine the omni-presence of religious “reminders” throughout the school from crucifixes to statuary to inscribed prayers to the memorial trees which stand as living remembrances to STJ students taken from their school family far too early. Observe the shirts which students of all grade levels proudly wear advocating a policy of life, religious leadership, and membership in the Marianist Life Community. Listen to the community prayers that are spoken and meditated on before school begins, before many classes begin, at pep rallies, football games, meetings of faculty and staff, and before long trips. Sit down during a theology class and watch as students are encouraged to thoughtfully encounter and challenge their own understanding of morality, social justice, and human sexuality. Witness the many hours of community service which STJ students provide to charities large and small throughout the community. Perhaps, even, you will be surprised that—in a million small ways—other academic disciplines and extracurricular activities at STJ quietly weave the teachings of Christ into their lessons and the responsibilities and classroom expectations that all STJ teachers enforce. As with all private schools across the country, the costs of daily operation have increased. But they have not increased at a rate so far beyond that of inflation. The argument that this increase in cost has diluted the school’s Catholic mission or it’s commitment to producing extremely well-qualified college applicants is a position which could not be supported by virtually any observation of what happens within the walls of the school. There is no logical connection between an increase in cost and a loss of Catholic-Christian identity. This doesn’t mean that the student body or staff has a perfect record of Christian behavior, but if the discussion is one of comparison to what is available in public education…you will struggle to argue that STJ does not far outstrip any other public institution in the region. In fact, the attitudes of so many posters in this thread which suggest that they maintain a preference for schools that operate as a “businesses” focused on customer satisfaction seem to miss the point which STJ truly embodies: that your tuition is helping to support one of the few remaining educational institutions which has not become corporatized. Rest assured, if the corporate, money-focused education is that which you prefer or are overly concerned by, it is not STJ that should draw you critical glare.

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2) STJ’s costs are prohibitive and do not adequately compensate for the education received.

STJ is expensive. There is no way to argue around that fact. Many families do receive assistance and no family need provide additional funds or donations if they choose not to. For many families the cost outpaces their ability to pay. This is unfortunate because many young men and women would benefit from enrollment at the school. However, it is important to understand some of the fundamental statistical barriers implicit within this question. Primarily, STJ cannot enroll an infinite number of students. It possesses neither the space nor staff to enroll even a minor fraction of Victoria’s potential student population. Yet the school has a need to pay costs to maintain it’s facilities, pay it’s staff (at competitive, though lower rates than public school teachers), and provide support materials for curricular and extracurricular activities. The school must pay these costs; it cannot do otherwise. Consequently, the school goes to great lengths in an effort to ensure that students who desire to enroll receive a sincerely considered amount of aid. That process undoubtedly must factor in the resources of the family and the family’s willingness to commit to the education. A student’s performance in pre-secondary education cannot be the only factor in determining this aid because of the differences in background and the potential for improvement once they have enrolled at STJ. Ironically, for many families in this community a great deal of personal income is expended on a whole host of purchases both large and small that will not return the kind of investment that would be reaped by an education at STJ. It should be noted that these decisions are not in and of themselves “good” or “bad,” but that they are merely choices that individuals hopefully deliberate carefully upon and are ultimately satisfied with. Choosing a public education is not an inherently bad decision and many families must choose that path. However, if a small number of individuals criticize STJ’s costs, while at the same time spending comparable amounts of money on other more transient “investments” they display a casual ignorance at best and deluding hypocrisy at worst.

Hmm. We seem to have a pretty wild discussion going on here and some folks that are making some far-reaching assumptions about a host of topics. Let’s touch on some of those basic things.

1) Students at STJ are, by the mere fact of their enrollment, guaranteed to be better educated than those tudents who go to public school.

This is obviously not true. Many very smart people are educated in public schools. Furthermore, if a student personally chooses to engage in a rigorous education own their own, then the student may very well turn out to be a great scholar no matter where he or she is enrolled. Unfortunately, that situation is not common. In any school there will always be individuals who excel and fail dramatically through circumstances beyond the control of whatever system they are in. These “outlier” individuals and their success or failure in the school do not provide much useful information about the quality of that institution. It is instead those students who reside in between the “exceptions” of success and failure that can tell us the most about a particular school as those students often contain predictable and comparable levels of drive, potential, and social backgrounds. In the case of STJ versus other public school options, the differences are quite stark. Yearly performances on AP scores at STJ are remarkable and that includes the efforts of individuals not blessed with “natural” ability to succeed in those courses. Furthermore, classes at STJ are framed around the objective of success in college. You need only examine the host of highly prestigious colleges and universities to which STJ students are admitted every year and the amount of money STJ students receive in college scholarships. Surely, this cannot simply be because STJ students pay a high tuition? Rather, I would argue, it suggests that STJ students, because of small class sizes, college-oriented instructional material, strong disciplinary expectations, and the absence of weighty public school bureaucracies that condition teachers to teach to tests and standards which yearly seem to decline in quality (in the face of claims of “yearly improvement”), are as a whole encouraged to genuinely challenge themselves to quite simply--get better. Does this mean that students outside of the STJ environment can’t do that? Of course not. But surely no one is willing to make the argument that the performance of so many seniors in public high school school, who daily are forced to produce mediocre results on exams and in-class performances (for reasons which public-school teachers are often powerless to prevent!), can outpace that of a senior at STJ. I wish this were not the case.

sunshine kid...

What is diluted in thinking that it is wrong to assume people are lazy or unmotivated because they can't afford a private high school?

What is diluted in thinking that a student should be allowed into a school based on their merit and not how well off their parents are?

What is diluted in thinking that paying for a car/house/boat whatever is not the same as paying for an education...do you have to build your own car (not last time I checked. You do, however, have to earn your education--payment doesn't equal a degree).

You are also throwing out a bunch of information with no sources to back it up. Of course there are many public school students that don't do well their first year of college...duh!...there are MANY MORE public school students than private school students. I attribute the success of a student to that individual's own motivation and drive--they will succeed regardless of what high school they went to. Obviously St. Joseph is a great high school, but I don't think a school alone makes a student any more apt to succeed.

Anyway my main beef was with pigskin assuming that people are lazy or unmotivated based on their wealth. Somewhere along the way you came to the misunderstanding that I'm knocking St. Jo. That's not the case at all. Oh, and as bright as I like to think my 6 month old is, he hasn't attended any high schools yet.

The price of STJ is what it is because of lay salaries. When it was sisters and brothers, they collected a minimal salary. There are hardly any brothers or nuns left and so now the entire staff is made up of lay people. You have to be able to pay the teachers a decent salary in order to attract good teachers. If I remember correctly, I've heard it said that 80% of the tuition money goes towards teacher salaries. Teachers at STJ usually make at least $10,000 to $15,000 less than their public school counterparts.

To the person who said that the enrollment is low, yes it is. Parents in VISD think that new buildings will make all the problems go away. I hope that truly is the case, but I doubt it.

Vox, I'm sure the school misses your child, not the money, but I bet you are one parent that they don't miss. What a diluted sense of thinking you have.

Xring, you are right about the cost of STJ vs. college. I will say though that kids can work their way through college and pay for it on their own. I don't think parents would have their child work to pay for HS. Also, many public school students, even those that took all AP classes, don't succeed their freshmen year of college. I can almost guarantee that you won't be able to say that about STJ students, even those at the bottom of their class.

I look at it like this: People wouldn't bat at eye at spending $30,000+ on a new car, and financing it over four years, so why are they so upset about spending that on their child's education? STJ has the best high school education around and if you can find a way to pay for it, DO IT!!! I've never met a grad that has complained yet.

St Joseph is a school that I am privileged to send my child to. At the first parent meeting - we were told about the grants AND about help - since "we will do everything we can to make sure your child can attend".

Many fundraisers? I know of a couple that we are asked to participate in but are not required.

i'd be interested to see the amount of scholarships given to families with ties to the diocese

Let me clarify just a couple of items:
1. BBuster, couldn't agree more with your first 2 sentences. I have no complaints about the staff, coaches or environment of StJ. Finest school around. However, their way of obtaining tuition costs on an individual basis is the exact same way welfare programs are determined. This, no matter how you slice it, is unfair.
2. N45BA, I have personal knowledge of someone who works for the County Sheriff's office who pays $3300 per calendar year for tuition. You do the math. This person is not a higher up, if you're wondering.
3. xring, I never implied, or meant to, that everyone is lazy that gets financial aid. You knew this. But even if you work 3 jobs, should your price be less than mine? You may have chosen to not get a high school degree some years back, or be a felon and NOW it comes into play. Again, this method of collecting tuition can be a way of "rewarding bad behavior". If you can't afford it, you can't afford it. Period.
4. vox, not sure where you're from, but my college degree on the wall IS something that is paid for. Welcome to reality, pal. Everything we acqure in our lives is perpetuated on a dollar bill. My moral compass is intact, possibly your touch with reality needs to altered.
5. myvu, not upset at all. Misdiagnosis on your behalf. Just simply found out midway thru the school year their were many people attending that were paying much less than me. My only form of action was to remove my child from the school. But again, read slowly as previously posted, I make too much income to qualify. Why would someone be upset about that? Ha.
6. jessshoes, complete misread on your part. Didn't say the student might be lazy or unmotivated, I said the parents might be. Get down off your high horse and read again. You should think before you post.

Save your money for college tuition. Don't waste it at St. Joe.

As a STJ parent I will say this...if you can't afford it with or without a grant don't go. If you attend and apply yourself and get involved..you won't be sorry.

Pigskin...anytime a student leaves, that parent has all kinds of complaints about the school. I graduated almost thirty years ago from STJ...I've heard them all.

N45BA-those figures look like they could work, although, pretty much the standard reply letter is for $500. When compared to the $8500, it is not much. The thing is, when tuition was $7200 a few years ago, guess what, the standard was $500. So as tuition has inceased, the grant has become less. The school brags how they have a very large percentage of families who are "awarded" grants. What they don't tell you is that most are for the standard $500.

The school board sets the tuition rate. The $8,500 is just for tuition, and doesn't factor extra curricular activities. If you are a cop on the beat making $40,000 per year- that's more than 25% of after tax income.

But, again according to pigskin, that's a job choice due to poor decisions and laziness.

Sounds like Pigskin is upset because he was not rewarded a grant. I can sympathize with this. It is discouraging that the tuition goes up, EVERY year, yet the amount of grants does not. It is based solely on income, not a bit has to do with the large amount of information requested as to how many children you are putting thru private school, etc. Income is the ONLY thing that is looked at. It is sad to put your child thru catholic school all the way thru 8th grade, then be forced to go to public high school because STJ tuition has gotten ridiculous. Part of this has to do with being too top heavy, meaning the creation of too many positions that were not needed the past 50 years, but now all of a sudden are and with hefty salaries. Maybe the lowest enrollment in 6 years will be a wake up call.

Pigskin, you keep bringing up comparisons that have nothing to do with the situation...'If I buy a car should the price be changed based on income?' and 'If I buy a house in Springwood should someone pay my mortgage?'.

Education is not a material possession like a house or car, and it shouldn't be kept from (or awarded to) an individual based on his/her parent's income. Imagine how things would be if everything is based on your bank account...how about a job application with only one question: How much money do you have? Or even worse: How much money do your parents have? What if the person to get the job is the one with the most money, and not the best fit for the position?

I don't think 'fair is fair' applies here. You need to take your moral/ethical compass in for repair.

How small minded can you be... lazy and unmotivated? As a former St. Joe parent, my child graduated top ten of their graduating class, was a district all star basketball player. A very "motivated" child. As a single parent, I worked TWO jobs to be able to pay the tuition.. I did get grant assistance, but worked very hard, as did my child, to excel at the school. It sounds to me as if Pigskins son may have been the "unmotivated/lazy" type, and that is why he was only there for a year. Think before you speak.. You don't know everyones financial status or the situation..

myvu, I knew my comments would offend some people, but that's the way it is with the truth sometimes. Again, why is it that the cost of education allows laziness, bad work choices and/or other circumstances to flow into the pricing of their product? It strikes me as just another form of welfare when handled in this manner. And for your info, I earn too much income to qualify for any financial aid, so, no, I'm not lazy or unmotivated. I will gladly correct myself for implying all people were in this category if they didn't make a certain income, I did not intend my statement to sound that way. I'll close with a question: If I cannot afford to live in Springwood subdivision, should someone pay my mortgage for me?

Actually Vox, it is a college prepatory school that has a religion class. Thirty years ago (when I was there) they had a summer work program. If you were a student that had difficulty paying the $850 per year tuition (thats what I said eight hundred and fifty), you could work during the summer painting, mowing, etc., and that would cover your cost.

Of course, we had Brothers and eventually a few Sisters who were our teachers. The salary expense was quite a bit less. Now the grants are reviewed by a third party administrator, and it is decided at that level "who and how much". There are quite a few people that would like to continue the Catholic education, but can't afford the $8,500. It used to be about the religous education, now its about the money. Many people have to decide between saving for college or sending to STJ. As a side note, University of Texas' tuition is approximately $10,000 this year. Fifteen hundred dollars more....interesting....

First off good luck to all the new students at all of the schools. Work hard, try your best, and good things will happen! Now this is going to go off tangent from the article, but needs to be said...

Pigskin...I agree scholarships should be earned, but this is high school. When you go to college you have the ability to earn scholarships based on (even if only in part) your high school achievement--not so to get into a private high school.

Is it the student's fault if the parent/custodian/guardian can't afford a private high school? Your characterization of people as being 'lazy and unmotivated' is out of line. My wife and I both work full time, have degrees, make a good living, etc. but we couldn't afford $8K a year plus all the other fees for St. Joseph. We aren't lazy or unmotivated at all, can our kid have the honor of going to school with yours if we received a little help?

Maybe you should talk with administration at St. Joseph to have the scholarship awards changed so that they are based on the child's merit and service (not the parent's income level). I'd bet some of those students with 'rich' parents wouldn't get in. Fair is fair.

It's a shame that you are judging people based on their income. I thought this was a Catholic school? Perhaps you missed the day in church that covered the whole 'judging' thing.

So, Pigskin, what you are saying is that only the upper crust should attend STJ, and if you do not make enough money to be able to pay your tuition in full, then you are lazy or not motivated. That is a big statement. As an STJ parent, I can tell you that I am not in the upper crust, and make many sacrifices in order to send my child there. I take part in the grant program, as well as about 50% of the families there. If you chose to not take the time to enroll in the grant program, looks like you may be the one that is not motivated and lazy.

Vox, your definition of a scholarship and mine must be completely different. A scholly, in my opinion, means you bring something to the table in return for your education, etc. What is going on at StJHS is what I would refer to as "rewarding bad behavior". Just because a parent, custodian, or grandparent, doesn't show enough income, they have their child's education bill picked up, or at least a portion of it. And yes, I would hope my child would accept a scholarship, IF EARNED. Being lazy, and or, unmotivated does not constitute earned in my book. If you or I go to buy a car, there's not a price that's negotiated down due to income level, so why should education be any different? If you can afford it, you can afford it! I'm all about fairness and equality on this issue, always have been. Making someone pay more because they work hard to succeed is sending the wrong message altogether. However, this is largely how many things are now done in this country.

Wow Pigskin...I'm assuming you won't be accepting any scholarships or grants for your son when he goes to college. After all, if you can't afford it you can't afford it.

Cost is over $8000 for tuition and fees. Lunch is $4.50 per day. Then there are many fundraisers and donations you are asked to participate in. This is the full price. Many students receive financial aid from various sources. I sent my son there last year and did not appreciate knowing there were kids there who did not pay the same price. If you can't afford it, you simply can't afford it. Fair is fair.

How much does is cost to send 1 student to St. Joseph for 1 year?

It is also great to see Mrs. Bludau teaching in her alma mater! Good luck STJ!