Diverse High Schools Near Me: Consider St. Agnes in Houston
If you’re searching for diverse high schools near me, St. Agnes Academy may be the school you’re looking for. Learn about the diverse learning environment at our all-girls, Catholic private school.
Even as the U.S. student population continues to diversify, many individual academic institutions are still falling short of embracing racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity.
During the 2020-2021 school year, over a third of public school students attended a learning institution where at least 75% of the student body was comprised of individuals of the same race or ethnicity.
For many families, diversity is a non-negotiable when searching for the appropriate educational environment. St. Agnes Academy is an all-girls, private Catholic school located in Houston, Texas, that prides itself on cultivating a diverse community and encouraging students to embrace their heritage and backgrounds.
As you continue to search for diverse high schools near me, let’s explore some of the ways St. Agnes Academy is embracing diversity. See how we are helping students of all backgrounds achieve academic success transitioning from elementary school to middle school to high school.
Why Should I Consider Diverse High Schools Near Me?
There is a seemingly endless slate of variables to consider when selecting the right public, private, or charter school for your student.
Some of the standard considerations during the school selection process include class size, student/teacher ratio, extracurricular opportunities, and academic record. However, diversity has become an increasingly critical consideration for many families searching for diverse public high schools and private schools in Houston.
Studies have linked diversity to a wide variety of academic outcomes. For example, increased campus diversity has been shown to improve student performance, encourage more effective communication, and equip high school students for entering the workforce, among other things.
It’s important, of course, to consider the diversity not just of the student body but of a school’s faculty. By offering students access to faculty members of all backgrounds, schools like St. Agnes are able to lay a critical foundation for mentorship.
Also, by bringing together students and staff in a positive way, we can provide students with role models they can count on during their high school years and beyond.
What Does The Department of Education Say About Diversity?
The U.S. Department of Education has recently renewed its commitment to fostering diversity and equity within schools and their surrounding communities. Following the events of the coronavirus pandemic, the DOE has issued further guidance to help schools recover effectively while continuing to cultivate more equitable learning environments.
The Department’s equity action plan builds on existing strategies and incorporates new approaches to help schools provide support to students enrolled at their institution:
- Prioritize college access and college completion for all students
- Ensure a more equitable impact of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding for K-12 students
- Invest in resources to help advance civil rights
- Advance equity in contracting and procurement
- Advance equity in grant process strategies
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are top of mind for educators in every community across the U.S. because the benefits of cultivating a diverse learning community have been consistently made clear.
St. Agnes Academy prides itself on promoting racial and ethnic diversity within its community and is constantly working toward goals that align with those set forth in national guidance like the DOE’s equity action plan. Let’s take a closer look at the diversity of Catholic schools.
Are Catholic Schools Diverse?
It is currently estimated that 20.8% of Catholic school students are racial minorities, and in many communities, Catholic schools are some of the most diverse high schools available to prospective students.
It may be tempting to consider public school enrollment for your child when seeking a diverse learning environment. But, in reality, student body populations in certain school districts often consist of a minority group as the predominant population, creating a different type of homogenous educational environment.
A truly diverse academic institution will feature a student body that is comprised of students and faculty of several different racial and ethnic groups, as well as students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. There can even be religious diversity within Catholic schools, as it is currently estimated that over 17% of Catholic school attendees do not identify as Catholic.
What Sets Catholic Schools Apart?
Research shows that Catholic schooling can provide a more individualized, well-rounded learning experience for students of all backgrounds and abilities. This more tailor-made approach to education helps to promote more positive student outcomes and contributes to a smaller achievement gap between students of different backgrounds.
- Latino and African-American Catholic school students are more likely to graduate from high school than their public school counterparts and 2.5 times more likely to graduate from college.
Similarly, Catholic education has been linked to more positive outcomes for students in inner-city schools, as well as for their families. Parents at schools within these communities report taking a more active role in their children’s education, and overall neighborhood cohesion increases when a Catholic school is present within the community.
Other documented benefits of a Catholic education include:
- Increased likelihood to vote
- Lower likelihood of incarceration
- Higher lifetime earning potential
- Increased likelihood to pray and attend church regularly
- Greater potential for academic achievement
- Increased civic engagement
- Greater tolerance of diverse views
All students stand to benefit from a top-tier Catholic education like that offered at St. Agnes Academy. Catholic schools have made incredible strides in closing the achievement gap between minority and non-minority pupils by embracing racial and cultural diversity rather than striving for homogeny or employing a cookie-cutter approach to education.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to education, and students can benefit across the board from learning environments tailored to their specific needs. Learn more about how St. Agnes carries out this mission to serve students of all backgrounds.
St. Agnes Academy: Who We Are
St. Agnes Academy was founded in 1905 by Mother Pauline Gannon, O.P., Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Houston, Texas. What began as a local boarding school has since blossomed into one of the state’s premier Catholic day schools for young women.
St. Agnes Academy is rooted in the Catholic, Dominican tradition, which means students are empowered and encouraged to seek truth in all they do and lead with integrity and honor.
We set critical, specific goals for our pupils and are devoted to delivering consistently impressive student outcomes. At the conclusion of her time at St. Agnes Academy, it is our hope that a St. Agnes graduate:
- Witnesses Gospel values and lives veritas through word and deed;
- Recognizes her Dominican heritage and incorporates prayer into her daily life;
- Demonstrates intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a dedication to life-long learning;
- Embraces diversity and champions the marginalized in society;
- Confidently assumes personal leadership and acts with integrity and compassion;
- Recognizes her interconnectedness with Earth and embraces her responsibilities for the children of all species;
- Celebrates life in a joyful, optimistic, and productive manner;
- Has a deep commitment to social justice and making a difference in the world.
St. Agnes students are made keenly aware of their responsibility within their communities. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do, and all students are empowered to engage with diverse perspectives and seek out new experiences.
What Does St. Agnes Academy Have to Offer?
St. Agnes Academy is a unique academic institution that offers young women of all backgrounds the tools they need to succeed academically, personally, and professionally. At its core, St. Agnes is a faith-based learning institution, and our Dominican Catholic values guide us in all we do.
Our curriculum includes required theology courses as well as instruction in other major world religions, and students are encouraged to embrace their faith and dig deeper into their beliefs. Students are also invited to attend weekly Mass on campus, and the Academy observes a number of school-wide Liturgical celebrations and Feasts.
In addition to offering top-tier academic instruction, St. Agnes Academy offers additional resources through Student Support Services. The Student Support Center consists of two separate departments that play distinct roles in a student’s time at St. Agnes: the Student Success Center and the Wellness Center.
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center provides individualized support for students with learning differences, as well as for other students who require additional support to engage equitably with their coursework. The Student Success team advocates for the diverse needs of students and helps close the gap for students with disabilities and specific learning needs.
Wellness Center
The Wellness Center offers students several different resources that are designed to support their mental wellness needs during their time at St. Agnes. The Wellness Center offers preventative programming, small group meetings, and individual counseling sessions to help address common mental health concerns.
The Wellness Center also advises students on course requirements, college admissions, and other academic pursuits.
These student support resources are intended to promote a more equitable learning environment and provide critical support for students with diverse needs. No two students are exactly alike, and St. Agnes Academy is committed to meeting pupils where they are to prepare them for long-term success.
See Diversity in Action at St. Agnes Academy
St. Agnes Academy is proud to serve as a pillar of the community with a track record of promoting diversity and contributing to student success. We offer a variety of extracurricular opportunities through our Office of Community Culture, including the following clubs and organizations:
- Asian Student Union (ASU) for our Asian student population
- Diversity Club
- Kaleidoscope
- Latin American Youth Association (LAYA) for our Hispanic student population
- Voices of Black Youth (VOBY) for our Black student population
Catholic Social Teaching promotes the dignity of the individual and our solidarity as one human family seeking peace and justice, and subsequently St. Agnes strives to model God’s unconditional love for all members of our community.
The Dominican pillars of Prayer, Study, Community, and Preaching all work in tandem with one another to contribute to our student’s increased social awareness and willingness to engage respectfully with diverse viewpoints and beliefs.
St. Agnes Academy is also committed to offering parents of diverse backgrounds in Houston with opportunities to engage and participate within the St. Agnes community.
If you’re looking to enroll your daughter in a learning environment as unique as she is, St. Agnes Academy may be the right fit for your family. Reach out today for more information about admissions and enrollment. We would also gladly share more information about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We look forward to getting to know you and learning more about your student’s background, goals, and needs as you search for diverse high schools near me.
- We also invite you to learn more about our regularly-scheduled Diversity Club events, which include our Diversity Club Cultural Pageant.
