Columbus Catholic announces Shadow Day

FOR HUB CITY TIMES

MARSHFIELD -- Interested in learning more about Columbus Catholic Schools? Here’s an opportunity for your student to “shadow” a CCS student and find out if it’s a good match.

This year Shadow Day will be held on Monday, Feb. 20. It is available for students who are entering 3rd grade through 12th grade in the 2023-2024 school year. Shadowing is available at the following locations:  Our Lady of Peace Intermediate School (Grades 3-5), Columbus Catholic Middle School (Grades 6-8), and Columbus Catholic High School (Grades 9-12). This is an opportunity for your student to actually attend one full day at Columbus Catholic Schools. 

During Shadow Day, each student will experience a day in the life of a CCS student, including time spent in the classroom, lunch, intramurals/recess, and an opportunity to build friendships with other students. There is no cost to participate.

Columbus Catholic Schools accepts a diversity of faiths, so students do not need to be Catholic to attend. “While it’s true that 74 percent of our students are Catholic, a growing percentage of our student body is not Catholic,” said David Eaton, President of Columbus Catholic Schools. “Our students represent a cross-section of Christian and non-Christian faiths. While we continue to practice and teach the Catholic religion in our schools, we welcome families of other faith traditions with open arms and respect those who practice other faiths,” he added.

“Another reason our parents like our schools is the smaller classroom populations, while providing more opportunities to students,” said Mr. Eaton. “It is typically presumed that big schools offer more opportunities to the students. We call this the ‘More Opportunity Myth.’ Opportunity is limited by time and the number of seats in the classroom, or spots on the bench. No matter how many AP classes a school offers, students can only take so many. No matter how many sports a school offers, there are only so many who get to play – often those deemed more skilled. Having more choices is not the same as having opportunities. At CCS we encourage our students to try everything. Imagine the world of opportunity in a setting where every child is invited to be a part of all that we do.”

According to a recent survey of parents, some of the other reasons they prefer Columbus Catholic Schools include: a safe and welcoming environment, moral development, and students’ ACT Test averages are higher than the state average.

If affordability is a concern, CCS has a number of programs to help. Columbus participates in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program which provides free tuition vouchers to families with incomes equal to or below 220 percent of the Federal poverty level. Families can also take advantage of the school’s Gift Card/Scrip Program, Each One Reach One (referral) Program, tuition grants and undergrad scholarships.

To sign up for Shadow Day, go to www.columbuscatholicschools.org and fill out the “Inquiry Form.” You can also contact Admissions Director Melissa Schmitt, at 715-387-1177 or admissions@columbusdons.org. If you are interested in shadowing but unavailable on Feb. 20, contact the school to schedule a personal tour. Tours are also available at St. John the Baptist Primary School (Grades Pre-K to 2nd Grade) where CCS offers 4K and 5K full-day classes; and 3- and 4-year-old programs for half-day and full-day.