Following the adoption of a classical curriculum, St. John’s Catholic Academy in Johnsburg, Illinois, has seen a notable rise in enrollment, school officials say.
According to SHAW Local News, the Catholic school’s enrollment increased by about 34%, a rise that school leaders largely attribute to the school’s decision to implement a classical education model beginning this academic year.
Superintendent of the Rockford Diocese Kim White explained that the curriculum uses “Socratic dialogue and cross-curricular integration in religion, language arts, history and humanities, taught together.”
The change in curriculum is part of a broader initiative not only to attract new families but also to allow students to learn in an environment where faith is embraced.
Ashley Gaura, principal of St. John’s said that the model is drawing widespread attention.
“People want it in this area,” Gaura said. “They are coming from towns away” to enroll their children.
Parents whose children attend St. John’s have also commented on the noticeable change.
Katie Schweinsberg, whose son attends St. John’s, said she has seen significant positive change since the curriculum shift, particularly in his reading interests, which now include classic literature such as The Lord of the Rings.
“It is striking to me that he is reading such rich books,” Schweinsberg said, “It is good for his mind and development.”
The school superintendent also noted that the rise in enrollment has not come at the expense of other nearby Catholic schools.
“We didn’t pull from other Catholic schools,” White said. “We pulled from public and home schooling. It is genuine and organic growth.”