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Catholic
Education in British Columbia
HISTORY
OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Catholic schools in British
Columbia were started in the middle 1800's by the Sisters of St. Ann
with the opening of St. Ann's Academy in Victoria. Several years later,
in 1861, St. Mary's Mission School was founded by Father Leon Fouquet of
the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Through subsequent years, religious
orders continued to play a dominant role in the Roman Catholic education
system of British Columbia.
In 1872, a year after British
Columbia entered Confederation, the first Common School Act was passed.
Although Catholic schools had been present for several decades, the Act
failed to recognize their existence. Over the next decade, Bishop Paul
Durieu, an Oblate priest, wrote to the provincial government requesting
recognition of Catholic schools. His cause was joined by Bishop
Louis-Joseph d’Herbomez, but to no avail. In 1930, Archbishop William
Mark Duke of the Archdiocese of Vancouver (the Archdiocese extended to
the Alberta border, including the present Dioceses of Nelson and
Kamloops) similarly requested recognition of Catholic schools. Some
years later, the Rowell Commission on Education, established by the
federal government, concluded that the provincial government was
unfairly treating Catholic schools. Despite this report, the provincial
government steadfastly refused to recognize independent schools.
Over the next decade, Catholic
schools continued to survive without any form of government assistance
until finally, in 1950, two Catholic schools (Our Lady of Fatima and Our
Lady of Lourdes) in Maillardville formed a joint commission and
deliberately closed to protest the provincial government's lack of
recognition of Catholic schools. The government refused to budge from
its policy. Both schools reopened a year later and continued their
struggle for recognition.
However, that same year, a small
milestone was reached when the government was petitioned by Catholics
for school textbooks, the right to ride public school buses, taxation to
be removed from school property and health services. Of all these
requests, the government agreed only to lend textbooks, but not to
schools; only directly to the students themselves. The government
remained steadfast in its stand toward Catholic schools.
In the early fifties, the first
mass movement of the laity started with the formation of the British
Columbia Catholic Education Association (B.C.C.E.A.). In 1954, the
Bishops of British Columbia presented the newly elected provincial
government with a brief for support, but again without success. On the
national front, the B.C.C.E.A. was lobbying the Federal Health Minister
for medical health services. Their argument was based on the fact that
the provincial government was distributing federal money only to public
schools. Later that year, Catholic schools received, for the first time,
health services.
In 1957, yet another lobby was
made to the provincial government; this time for removal of taxation on
school properties outside Vancouver (Vancouver schools had already won
zero taxation) and the right to ride public school buses. As a result,
the provincial government allowed municipalities the right to exempt
school properties from taxes, but only if the school was operated by a
nonprofit society. From this change in government position, the Diocesan
Societies were born. Each Diocese formed a nonprofit society that
operated in an identical manner. The societies held annual meetings,
hired auditors for reports and technically operated the Catholic schools
of the province.
The sixties and early seventies
saw Catholic schools survive several changes in provincial government.
In 1966, a historic meeting was held in the library of Corpus Christi
School in Vancouver. Bishop Remi De Roo and eleven other independent
school representatives formally founded the Federation of Independent
Schools Associations (F.I.S.A.). The Association was formed as the
political arm of independent schools of the province. Catholic school
delegates to the F.I.S.A. were elected by the Catholic Schools Trustees
Association of British Columbia - C.S.T.A.(B.C.). However, the
C.S.T.A.(B.C.) was later dissolved and the F.I.S.A. delegates were
elected by an Inter-Society Committee formed from the five Catholic
Dioceses.
In the late seventies, after many
years of lobbying, the government passed the Independent Schools Support
Act (1977). The Act provided Independent Schools with financial aid that
amounted to a maximum of 30 percent of the per capita grant to public
schools. The Independent Schools Act (1989) increased provincial funding
operating grants to a maximum of 50 percent of the per capita grant to
public schools.
After over a century of struggle,
Catholic schools of British Columbia were recognized educationally and
financially by the provincial government.
FINANCING
Catholic schools save the
taxpayers of British Columbia over $45,000,000 a year in operating
expenses alone. Because the Province only funds Independent schools at
half the rate it funds public schools, the taxpayers save half the cost
of educating every student enrolled in a Catholic school. The taxpayer
is also saved the enormous capital cost of buildings and equipment for
students in Catholic schools because the government provides no funding
for capital costs. The cost of the land, buildings and equipment of the
seventy-five Catholic schools in the province would be staggering if the
province had to replace them.
CAPITAL
Catholic schools are built with a
combination of parish and diocesan funds. The proportion of those funds
depends on whether the school is a secondary school or an elementary
school. However, no public funds are used to build Catholic schools.
Once the school is built, all capital expenditures are the
responsibility of the parish/es.
OPERATING
Catholic schools are unique in
that operating funds come from three sources: government, tuition and
parish (including fund-raising). The Province of British Columbia
provides a per pupil grant equal to fifty percent of the per pupil grant
given to public schools in the same district. The parents and parish
provide the rest of the funds to cover the operating costs of the
school. The parents pay tuition and participate in fund-raising
activities. The parish underwrites the operating costs of the school by
contributing a subsidy and by covering those costs necessary to balance
the budget.
FISCAL
ACCOUNTABILITY
Taxpayers in British Columbia,
who help pay for an expensive education system, expect all schools to be
fiscally accountable. Catholic schools are in the unique position of
having to be fiscally accountable to the three bodies from which they
receive monies: the government, the parish and parents. The government
ensures that the money it contributes is spent on that for which it was
intended. Schools are penalized if they spend more than the allotted
portion. The pastor of the parish must approve the school's budget since
the parish subsidizes the school and underwrites any expenses the school
makes over the budgeted items*. Parents pay tuition fees, thereby giving
a vote of confidence to the school. If they did not believe that the
school was meeting the needs of their children, they would choose other
schools. In effect, this means that there is a triple check on each
school’s use of monies.
Because they receive public
funds, teams of educators from the Ministry of Education regularly
inspect all Catholic schools. These teams ensure that all aspects of the
school are administered and operated according to the Independent
Schools Act.
*Parishes in the Victoria Diocese
do not subsidize the operating costs of the schools.
SPECIAL
NEEDS EDUCATION
Since the early eighties, Catholic schools within the Province have
served children of all abilities as far as is possible within the
mandate of the schools. In the five dioceses, schools have developed
Learning Assistance programs to meet the needs of their pupils. In the
Archdiocese of Vancouver, one elementary school specializes in serving
the special education needs of the Archdiocese through a special needs
program supported financially by the parishes. To teach every child is a
goal of all Catholic schools within the province. This goal came closer
to reality with the financial assistance of the provincial government in
the late eighties, but the difficulties in achieving it were greatly
increased when provincial Special Education funding to Independent
schools was reduced in 1992.
SERVICE
TO COMMUNITY
Within each of the five dioceses
in the Province of British Columbia, Catholic schools play vital roles
in serving the communities in which they are located. Each school is an
integral part of a larger community of Faith that includes the parish
and parishioners. Schools therefore provide essential services to their
communities by cooperating with all in being witnesses not only to
Christ as the cornerstones of the whole community, but also as lights
that shine far beyond it.
ACADEMIC
EXCELLENCE
Catholic schools provide a
holistic education, which combines academic excellence with concern for
the spiritual, moral, social, emotional, cultural and physical growth of
the students. Thus, it fulfills its mandate from the parents, from the
Ministry education, and from the Church in whose mission it shares
through the ministry of teaching.
This education is provided in a
Faith community where teachers and students come to know and love Jesus
Christ as they grow together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and love
based on Gospel values in the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.
INSPECTION
As recipients of public funds,
all Catholic schools are regularly inspected by teams of educators sent
in by the Ministry to ensure that all aspects of the schools are being
administered and operated according to the Independent Schools Act.
 DIOCESE
REGIONS
ARCHDIOCESE OF VANCOUVER
The earliest recorded Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Vancouver
was St. Mary's Mission School, founded by the Oblates of Mary
Immaculate. The school was founded in 1861 with the boys' school opening
in 1863 and the girls' in 1868. Father Florimond Gendre, O.M.I., was the
first principal with the Sisters of St. Ann teaching the children. In
1888, the Sisters established St. Ann's Academy, the first Catholic
School in Vancouver "on the edge of the forest" which is now
downtown Vancouver, near Holy Rosary Cathedral.
The earliest recorded Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Vancouver
was St. Mary's Mission School, founded by the Oblates of Mary
Immaculate. The school was founded in 1861 with the boys' school opening
in 1863 and the girls' in 1868. Father Florimond Gendre, O.M.I., was the
first principal with the Sisters of St. Ann teaching the children. In
1888, the Sisters established St. Ann's Academy, the first Catholic
School in Vancouver "on the edge of the forest" which is now
downtown Vancouver, near Holy Rosary Cathedral.
In 1957, the Catholic Public
Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese became registered as a nonprofit
society and thus became eligible for property tax reductions from
municipal governments. Since that time, Catholic schools in the
Archdiocese have grown to servicing over fourteen thousand young men and
women in forty elementary and nine secondary schools.
Within the boundaries of the
Archdiocese, Religious Orders continue to play a vital role in Catholic
education with the continued operation of three congregational schools;
Little Flower Academy (Sisters of St. Ann), St. Thomas More Collegiate
and Vancouver College (Christian Brothers).
The Archdiocese continues to
expand its educational system with the planned opening of two new
secondary schools in the new millennium.
Schools: 49 Teachers: 900
Students: 14,000
DIOCESE OF KAMLOOPS
In the year 2000, St. Ann's Academy, located in the city of Kamloops,
will celebrate one hundred and twenty years of service to the Catholic
community. The Sisters of St. Ann established the school in 1880 and the
Christian Brothers continue the tradition of "Excellence in
Catholic Education" for students from kindergarten to grade 12.
In the year 2000, St. Ann's Academy, located in the city of Kamloops,
will celebrate one hundred and twenty years of service to the Catholic
community. The Sisters of St. Ann established the school in 1880 and the
Christian Brothers continue the tradition of "Excellence in
Catholic Education" for students from kindergarten to grade 12.
The parishes of St. James in
Vernon and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Kamloops founded their schools
in 1956 and 1962 respectively. St. James now serves students from K -10
and OLPH from K – 7.
Two smaller communities in the
diocese opened their doors more recently -- St. Ann's School in Quesnel
in 1986 and Sacred Heart school in Williams Lake in 1992.
With the continuing dedication
and cooperation of parents, parish and school, our children have the
opportunity to enter the new millennium with a long history of Catholic
school tradition.
Schools: 6 Teachers: 92 Students:
1,365
DIOCESE OF NELSON
In 1859, Rev. Charles Pandosy, O.M.I., established the first Catholic
school in the Okanagan Valley. Some forty years later, St. Eugene's
Mission in the East Kootenays was started. The mission served its
community well until it was replaced by St. Mary's School in Cranbrook
in the mid-sixties. All through its history, the Diocese of Nelson has
served its people by opening Catholic schools in various parts of the
diocese. Schools were originally staffed by religious orders of Sisters,
Brothers and Priests. In 1957, Bishop McCarthy established the Catholic
Public Schools of Nelson Diocese (C.P.S.N.D.). In 1998, the decision was
made to change the name to the Catholic Independent Schools of Nelson
Diocese (C.I.S.N.D.), which, today, serves the educational needs of the
community with seven schools, located in Penticton, Kelowna, Westbank,
Trail, Nelson and Cranbrook.
In 1859, Rev. Charles Pandosy, O.M.I., established the first Catholic
school in the Okanagan Valley. Some forty years later, St. Eugene's
Mission in the East Kootenays was started. The mission served its
community well until it was replaced by St. Mary's School in Cranbrook
in the mid-sixties. All through its history, the Diocese of Nelson has
served its people by opening Catholic schools in various parts of the
diocese. Schools were originally staffed by religious orders of Sisters,
Brothers and Priests. In 1957, Bishop McCarthy established the Catholic
Public Schools of Nelson Diocese (C.P.S.N.D.). In 1998, the decision was
made to change the name to the Catholic Independent Schools of Nelson
Diocese (C.I.S.N.D.), which, today, serves the educational needs of the
community with seven schools, located in Penticton, Kelowna, Westbank,
Trail, Nelson and Cranbrook.
Schools: 7 Teachers: 89 Students:
1,540
DIOCESE OF PRINCE GEORGE
The first documented evidence of Catholic education shows that Bishop
Bunoz, O.M.I., with the Oblate Fathers, Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto
and Sisters of the Child Jesus began a school at Babine in 1914. This
first school was soon followed by schools in Fort St. James and Prince
Rupert in 1916.
The first documented evidence of Catholic education shows that Bishop
Bunoz, O.M.I., with the Oblate Fathers, Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto
and Sisters of the Child Jesus began a school at Babine in 1914. This
first school was soon followed by schools in Fort St. James and Prince
Rupert in 1916.
Bishop Jordan, O.M.I., with the
Sisters of St. Ann, Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton and Sisters of
Providence opened schools in Prince George, Fort St. James and Dawson
Creek.
In 1956, Bishop Fergus O'Grady,
O.M.I. undertook the enormous mission of building a system of Catholic
schools to serve the native and non-native faithful across the vast
135,000 square mile northern missionary diocese.
Assisted by Communities of
Religious, his determination resulted in the birth of the Frontier
Apostolate, a movement of dedicated and motivated Catholic volunteers
from throughout the world.
Numerous religious orders and
clergy have contributed to the building of the Catholic education in the
Diocese. Today the schools are primarily staffed and administered by
hired teachers.
Schools: 11 Teachers: 149
Students: 2,345
DIOCESE OF VICTORIA
The first record of a school in the Diocese was in 1849 when classes
were taught by the resident priest, an Oblate missionary.
The first record of a school in the Diocese was in 1849 when classes
were taught by the resident priest, an Oblate missionary.
In 1858, the Sisters of St. Ann
began a long association with Catholic schools in the Diocese. That same
year, the St. Viator Brothers opened a boys' school in Victoria that
later became St. Louis College operated by the Oblates. Eventually, this
school was run by the Christian Brothers.
There were three different types
of schools operating in the diocese: Schools operated by religious
orders, schools for First Nations students operated on behalf of the
federal government, and parochial schools. By 1977, when provincial
funding became available, only the last group, the parochial schools,
remained.
Currently, six schools are
operated by the diocese including a regional high school and an
elementary middle school. Four schools are located in the Greater
Victoria area, the other two being further north in Cowichan Valley.
Schools: 6 Teachers: 110
Students: 1,836
DIOCESAN OFFICES
CATHOLIC INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF
VANCOUVER ARCHDIOCESE
150 Robson Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2A7
Telephone: (604) 683-9331
Fax: (604) 687-6692
E-mail:
info@cisva.bc.ca
CATHOLIC INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF
KAMLOOPS DIOCESE
635A Tranquille Road
Kamloops, B.C. V2B 3H5
Telephone: (250) 376-3351
Fax: (250) 376-3363
CATHOLIC INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF
NELSON DIOCESE
402 West Richards Street
Nelson, B.C. V1L 3K3
Telephone: (250) 352-6921
Fax: (250) 352-1737
CATHOLIC INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF
PRINCE GEORGE DIOCESE
P.O. Box 7000
2935 Highway 16 West
Prince George, B.C. V2N 3Z2
Telephone: (250) 964-4424
Fax: (250) 964-2101
CATHOLIC INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
DIOCESE OF VICTORIA
1-4044 Nelthorpe Street
Victoria, B.C. V8X 2A1
Telephone: (250) 727-6893
Fax: (250) 479-5423
E-mail:
icsadm@pacificcoast.net
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