History

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