Worth the Sacrifice – A Student’s Perspective

By Allaina Murphy
Class of 2011

My initial enrollment at a parochial school was the result of a different path than many of my classmates at St. Dom’s. A number of their families have, for generations, attended a Catholic School and it was expected of them to do the same. However, now that I am a junior in the Catholic School system, my parents would agree that it has been a good fit and a sound investment that will be well worth their expense and sacrifice.
I attended a public school through sixth grade. My teachers that I had in fifth and sixth grade were my most influential public school teachers. They taught me to have the strength and the confidence to be an individual. While these teachers provided me with as many challenges as they could, they were also committed to teach those students who really did not want to be there. At times I found this to be distracting and frustrating. At a sixth grade Auburn “Y” travel basketball practice I came to realize that there were other options available to me.
During a break at practice my teammates discussed what they were learning in school. I had found out that students at St. Joseph’s School were ahead of me and provided one of the most challenging academic programs. It was then that I knew that I wanted to go to St. Joseph’s. When I came home from practice I asked my parents if I could go there for seventh grade; their initial response was hesitant to say the least. My parents believed that I was a strong student and would do well anywhere so why pay the additional tuition expenses when they already paid taxes in my hometown. When we went to St. Joseph’s open house my mother pointed out how old the school was and how different their gym was as compared to the two newly built gyms at the new high school in my hometown. My mother even pulled the “you’ll have to wear that skirt” (referring to the uniform) card. None of it mattered to me; I wanted the education and I think it was the uniform that convinced my father that it might be a good idea. After much debate, my parents agreed.
Preparing to leave my friends of seven years and go to this new school was a little intimidating but I was not going to let it get in my way. The transfer paid off, my classes were exciting. I was learning new things every day. I liked the structure of the classes and the high expectations of the teachers. We were held accountable for our work; the teachers as well as my classmates challenged me. The difference between my new school and my previous public school did not lie only with the academics. There was a different feeling in the classroom and as you walked through the corridors. While distractions continued they were much less frequent and were not tolerated. The uniform was not an issue because everyone was in the same situation and there was never the difficult decision of what to wear.
Upon completion of the eighth grade I then needed to decide which high school I would attend. For me, the most natural and best transition was to St. Dom’s. The atmosphere throughout the school is one of respect and family. Respect for others and respect for yourself. One of the first things I noticed during my “shadow” day and orientation was how welcoming everyone was. I felt that I was part of the St. Dom’s family from the very beginning.
I know that the academic expectations set forth at St. Dom’s are preparing me for success in college. Academically, the Honors and AP classes are definitely challenging. While the curriculum does not offer the variety of nontraditional classes that are available in a public school, the availability of the Virtual High School has greatly expanded the options open to the St. Dom’s student. I would love to play basketball for a Class A school but in my research I have not found a school that parallel’s the academic focus I have found at St. Dom’s. It is here I plan to stay.
The values of integrity, community, and excellence originate from the catholic teachings and resonate throughout the building. Catholicism is taught in our religion class but it is the values that are the basis of those teachings that drives the culture at St. Dom’s. We learn valuable life skills and are encouraged to reach our full potential as individuals. As a person, I am developing confidence and learning life skills that will allow me to effectively interact with whomever I may meet throughout my life.
When I step back and evaluate my decision to leave my friends and community five years ago to attend a Catholic School, I without a doubt made the right decision. Regrettably I have not been very good at keeping in touch with my grade school friends but I have developed lifelong friendships with my peers at St. Dom’s. I truly believe that my parents, who have had to make sacrifices to be able to send me to this high school, would agree that a Catholic education has given me great opportunities and a sense of community that is not typically found in a public school. I am certain that when I walk away from St. Dominic’s door a year and a half from now as a member of the class of 2011, I will be prepared for whatever lies ahead of me. While I originally embarked on a Catholic education for academic reasons, I have found that the true advantages are spiritual in nature and cannot be adequately expressed through words. It is only from experiencing it that one can understand its full benefit.

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