Spiritual Growth

St. Charles is concerned with the religious and spiritual growth of its students. Since the purpose of religious education is to make faith living, conscious and active, a religious atmosphere permeates the school.

Spiritual development occurs through a well-defined, systematic and closely monitored program of religious instruction that is faithful to the teaching of Christ and His Church. All students are enrolled in religion classes. Solid instruction is given in Sacred Scripture, Christian morality, Christian dogma and the history of Christianity.

Spiritual development also occurs in the environment of a faith community that is dedicated to living in Jesus Christ. The presence and availability of dedicated priests, religious, and lay faculty, opportunities for Eucharistic and other sacramental celebrations in large and small groups, special days of renewal, as well as formal and informal discussions with teachers and students in and out of school time — all these are the occasions of genuine spiritual growth. Prayer at the beginning of the student’s day and at the beginning of each class is a continual reminder of the Christian commitment of the school.

Religion is not something apart from real life. The goals of religious education are therefore integral to any authentic human education. Since the Christian faith requires a student tbecome involved with problems in society to improve it and himself, a project in Christian service is required for graduation.
Personal development. Generally the purpose of education is to aid development of the person. More specifically at St. Charles, the program seeks to help each student to attain his personal objectives, to solve his personal problems and to establish his concept of self.

Close cooperation and rapport between home and school make possible greater understanding, more accurate appraisal and complementary efforts in promoting student growth. Ultimately, St. Charles hopes to produce mature, self-determining Christian men who are effective decision-makers.

Jesus Christ as the model Christian person is visible in the school environment and is the paramount influence within the school community. The faculty and staff serve as role-models of mature Christian men and women, and are generously available for informal guidance on personal matters. Formal counseling and individual help are offered through the services of trained guidance personnel. Although the student’s personal Christian development depends in large part upon its foundation in the home, individual student direction is also an integral function of the community of faith that is St. Charles.

All progress, academic and otherwise, is intimately related to the total growth and well-being of the learner. This totality embraces a vast array of learning opportunities: general course work, independent study, basic communication skills, physical education and a wide variety of co-curricular activities. Academic experiences at St. Charles are supportive of the personal development of students; the school’s curricula, especially the humanities, includes literature that deals with decision-making.

The program of religious studies includes a hierarchy of Christian values which functions as a touchstone for young decision-makers. The size of the school offers the student maximum access to participation in a broad range of opportunities.