How Do Non-Catholic Students in Catholic Schools Fit In?
Are you considering a new high school experience for your daughter? Find out what it’s like for non-Catholic students in Catholic schools. Discover the benefits of St. Agnes Academy!
Catholic identity is more than just symbols on a wall; it's a lived experience. It shapes how people speak to each other, serve the community, and approach learning. While our school year is formed by the Catholic calendar – with liturgies, service days, and moments of gratitude – our community welcomes students from all backgrounds.
We ask all students to be present and respectful, but not to profess a belief they do not hold. This clarity helps non-Catholic students feel at home while learning about Catholic teaching and traditions.
Learn more about how we create an environment where non-Catholic students in Catholic schools can find a home to learn, grow, and form community.
What is Our Catholic Identity at St. Agnes Academy?
At its heart, Catholic identity is about fostering a community grounded in respect, service, and reflection. You will see it woven into the fabric of our school day, from the way classes begin with prayer or reflection to how our school calendar aligns with the Church year. This environment is intentionally inclusive, allowing all students to thrive.
Religion Classes, Retreats, and Service
- Religion or theology courses: These classes introduce the Bible, Catholic teaching, world religions, ethics, and Catholic social teaching. Non-Catholic students are graded on learning – not belief – and they are encouraged to ask honest questions.
- Retreats: Think team building with purpose. Our retreats focus on reflection, friendship, and leadership. Participation is encouraged because students tend to come back more connected to their peers.
- Service: Rooted in the mission of the Catholic church, service connects classroom learning to real needs. Students volunteer with local nonprofits and parish partners and often design projects that matter to them.
How Prayer and Mass Work for Non-Catholic Students in Catholic Schools
Prayer opens gatherings, and Mass marks key moments. When our school schedules Mass, students who do not receive Communion may come forward for a blessing or remain seated respectfully. The approach is invitational, not pressuring. We want all students to feel included while the community practices the Catholic faith together.
An Academy That Challenges and Supports
Families often choose to attend Catholic schools because they offer a strong academic program. This is 100% the case at St. Agnes:
- Honors, AP, and dual-credit options are offered.
- Writing and speaking are emphasized across subjects.
- Smaller average class sizes make feedback timely.
- Teachers know their students by name and notice when someone needs support or a more challenging task.
Community and Student Life
A Catholic school community is built on shared habits that make daily life feel steady and welcoming. You will see clear expectations around kindness, honesty, and responsibility. That culture shows up in small moments – like how students greet teachers at the door – and how the whole campus supports Tiger Athletics games, concerts, and artistic performances.
Student-led clubs, arts, and athletics are open to everyone, not just a few. Because most Catholic high schools, like St. Agnes, enroll fewer students than large public schools, it is common for a student to act in the musical, play a varsity sport, and serve on the student council. That variety builds confidence and helps students discover new strengths.
Students often describe the deeper payoff as a sense of belonging.
One graduate captured it well: “They bring Catholic values into the classroom, and educate us in what it means to be a member of a worldwide Church. Even though I do not follow the Catholic faith myself, I have gained that wondrous sense of belonging to something greater than oneself as a member of this amazing, and very welcoming community.”
Another student said, “Growing up in this wonderful Catholic school system has given me a well-rounded education with challenging academics, as well as a spiritual and moral education, both of which I hold in a very high regard.”
That mix of friendship, purpose, and participation is the heartbeat of student life. It is why non-Catholic students in a Catholic school setting often feel included from day one.
Inclusivity and Diversity
Many Catholic families enroll their children at St. Agnes, but our student body is broadly diverse. You will meet students from many Christian traditions, other religions, and no religious affiliation.
Our student body reflects the typical structure across the country. According to the National Catholic Educational Association, Catholic schools nationwide serve a wide range of communities, languages, and neighborhoods. The result is a daily experience where students learn to listen well, lead with empathy, and collaborate with people who do not share every view.
Admissions, Tuition, and Aid
Most Catholic schools welcome applicants of all faiths. Admissions teams look for academic readiness, character, and a desire to contribute. At St. Agnes, we strive to make our experience available to students regardless of their background or ability to afford private school tuition.
We offer need-based financial aid to help cover the cost of tuition and the freshman laptop purchase for students who meet our admissions criteria. While full tuition grants are rare – as we expect families to contribute – our goal is to ensure no student is deterred from applying for financial reasons.
Safety, Wellness, and Support
Catholic schools focus on the whole student. That means strong academics paired with the formation of mind, body, spirit, and character. The goal is simple: help teenagers grow into wise, healthy, and hopeful young women. Here is what that looks like in practice.
1. Physical Safety
Our school uses secure entry practices, visitor screening, regular drills, and staff training to keep the campus calm and predictable. Clear technology and phone norms reduce distractions and conflicts during the school day.
2. Emotional Wellness
Licensed counselors and trained advisors check in with students, teach stress management, and support healthy habits like sleep, nutrition, and balanced screen time. Advisory periods with our Wellness Center team give each student a small group and a trusted adult who notices when something is off and celebrates wins when things go well.
3. Learning Support
Students learn in different ways. Catholic schools offer tutoring, writing and math labs, accommodation plans for documented needs, and structured study halls. Teachers know their students by name and coordinate with families so support is aligned.
4. Social Growth
We never want a non-Catholic student to feel left out or excluded from certain activities at St. Agnes. Retreats, leadership workshops, mentorship programs, and service learning help students practice empathy and teamwork. These experiences are designed to build skills that last long after a test or a season ends.
5. Spiritual Formation By Invitation
Campus ministry offers prayer, reflection, and service grounded in Catholic teachings. Students of every background are welcome to participate at a level that fits their faith. The aim is never pressure. It is an open door to gratitude, purpose, and hope.
6. Character Education
Honor codes, restorative conversations, and clear consequences teach accountability with dignity. Students learn how to repair harm, make better choices, and lead with integrity.
Putting It All Together
When all of these layers work together, the results are visible. Students feel known, safe to ask for help, and eager to stretch. Families see growth not only in grades but also in resilience, empathy, and judgment.
This whole-student approach is a hallmark of Catholic teaching and a key reason so many families choose to send their children to Catholic high schools.
Interested in Touring Our School Campus?
We want families and their children to feel welcome on our campus. If you are considering sending your child to an all-girls, private high school like St. Agnes, you may have specific questions about campus life.
We encourage you to schedule a campus tour so that you can ask questions, get a feel for the campus, and see how students interact with each other.
Consider this sample of questions you may want to ask during a scheduled campus tour:
1. How does your mission shape homework, discipline, and technology use?
2. What does a religion class look like for a non-Catholic student?
3. How often do students attend liturgy, and what are the expectations for participation?
4. What academic pathways exist from support to acceleration?
5. How are leadership and service built into the school year?
6. What percentage of students receive financial aid, and how is it awarded?
7. How do you help new students who transfer from a public school adjust?
Ready to Support Your Family on the Academic Journey
Non-Catholic students in Catholic schools thrive when families want strong academics, a principled culture, and meaningful service. If the fit feels right, you will find a community that welcomes your child, invites them to grow, and prepares them well for college and life.
Hear more about why students and parents at St. Agnes love the inclusive Catholic community by visiting this website page to learn who we are. You’ll discover what St. Agnes has to offer!
