At Holy Family Schools, we pride ourselves on providing an exceptional educational experience rooted in faith, academic excellence, and a strong sense of community. Our schools, including Wahlert Catholic High School and St. Columbkille Elementary, offer a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to grow spiritually, intellectually, and personally. Hear from our students, teachers, and parents about the profound impact Holy Family School has had on their lives.
Nurturing Faith and Personal Growth
For Hanna, a member of the Class of 2024 at Wahlert Catholic High School, the school’s commitment to faith has been transformative. “Wahlert has greatly impacted my faith,” she shares. The numerous opportunities for involvement, particularly the Kairos retreat during her junior year, played a pivotal role. “Coming back from Kairos my junior year, I learned a lot about my faith, and I grew as a person,” Hanna explains. She describes Kairos as an invaluable experience for self-discovery and deepening one’s connection with God, stating, “It’s the favorite thing I’ve ever done in high school by far.” This experience ignited a desire for deeper faith engagement, leading her to participate in Bible Study every Thursday. Hanna values the “really great community of people” at Bible Study, where she connects with classmates on a deeper level. Her internship with Mrs. Carlson in campus ministry further enriches her faith journey, assisting with weekly Mass and serving as a Kairos senior leader.
The Joy of Teaching and Shaping Young Minds in a Catholic Environment
Meghan Behnke, a St. Columbkille Elementary teacher and a Wahlert Catholic High School alumna from the Class of 2016, finds immense fulfillment in her profession within the Holy Family Schools system. “Watching children grow and learn new things is so rewarding,” Meghan says. She cherishes the “joy on a child’s face when they accomplish something they have worked hard on,” affirming her lifelong aspiration to be a teacher. Meghan is grateful for the opportunity to teach in a Catholic school environment where “Holy Family provides endless opportunities for staff and students to openly talk about their faith.” This aspect is a primary reason for her love of teaching at Holy Family, as it allows her to guide students in “act[ing] as Disciples of Jesus.” She highlights the supportive nature of the Holy Family community, emphasizing that “Everyone is always there for one another and is willing to lend a helping hand.” Meghan credits the St. Columbkille staff for their positive impact on both her teaching and personal life. She finds joy in witnessing students’ educational and personal growth, advising them that “everything takes time” and to view mistakes as “opportunities from which to learn and grow,” reminding them that they are “only at the beginning of their journey.”
Mentorship: A Cornerstone of Student Development
Cole Smith, a teacher at Wahlert Catholic High School, underscores the significance of the mentoring program within the Holy Family Schools framework. He describes the program as “an opportunity for a teacher and their mentees to share in the constant social, emotional, academic, and spiritual growth that occurs during the school year.” For Cole, “Mentoring is, in my opinion, the most important part of each day because it allows for the mentor and their mentees to share in the successes and opportunities for growth each and every day.” Since the implementation of mentoring at Wahlert, Cole has observed remarkable student development. He notes that students have become “more confident, accountable, driven, and resilient as they navigate each day with the support of their fellow mentees and mentor.”
Exceptional Academic Preparation and College Readiness
Cheryl, a parent within the Holy Family School community, expresses immense gratitude for the robust academic offerings at Wahlert Catholic High School, particularly the Advanced Placement (AP) and dual enrollment programs. She highlights the significant financial benefits of these programs, stating, “I am so thankful for the solid AP and dual enrollment options at Wahlert Catholic High School.” Considering the escalating costs of higher education, Cheryl points out the substantial savings realized through Wahlert’s programs. “If one assumes the average cost of tuition/room/board/fees/books at college is $30,000 per year, we have more than broken even when looking at Wahlert tuition paid over four years versus the amount of college credit our son is graduating from Wahlert with.” Her son entered college with an impressive 41 credits earned through AP and college classes at Wahlert, including 10 AP Spanish credits. Cheryl emphasizes that “All of freshman year and half of sophomore year are complete before setting foot on campus thanks to these offerings.” Beyond the direct financial savings, she also acknowledges the merit-based scholarships her son earned due to his strong academic preparation at Wahlert. “And this doesn’t even take into consideration the scholarships earned from being academically well prepared at Wahlert. We are thankful!”
Holy Family Schools are dedicated to fostering a holistic educational experience where faith, academics, and community converge to empower students for lifelong success. Discover the Holy Family difference and consider joining our community today.
