Religious Education High School
Chapel School is a Catholic educational institution. The school requires a program in religious education and offers a selection of courses emphasizing values, moral principles and decision-making skills. The program introduces the student to the study of Biblical history, comparative religions, ethics, social issues, peace studies, lifestyles and Catholic Christian beliefs. Academic success in religion classes is required. These classes are academic in structure and the grades are included in the students' overall grade point average.
The program has much to offer to children of every faith. It presents an appreciation and knowledge of religion and our religious heritage that is important for anyone living in our world today.
Retreats
Once a year each class is invited to go on a retreat at a retreat house outside the city. This very important part of the religion department's curriculum places the student outside the school atmosphere in a relaxed setting where he/she can encounter God, nature and each other.
The discussions, games and prayer time make this once-a-year event a very popular and much sought after activity. The retreats are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., so students will need transportation. Students have reacted to these retreats with such unanimous approval that the religion department requests parents to encourage their youngsters to share in this unique experience. Retreat days are counted as school days; therefore, students not attending these retreats will be given an alternative research assignment.
Community Service
Community Service is a one-semester course as part of the curriculum for the seniors as well as an elective for grades 7-11. The main objective of the program is to help students to appreciate the sense that human dignity and the search for happiness and fulfillment are a right of every human being. Everyone plays a role and is responsible for all members of society. The students are directed to institutions where the philosophy is to teach how to fish, instead of giving the fish, in order to learn how to provide effective charity.
General Goals1. To learn about other life styles in order to broaden one's perspective.
2. To care for other people's needs.
3. To be able to make a difference.
1. To identify the needs of the target-population.
2. To raise resources of cognitive, affective, human and material natures to provide for those needs.
3. To establish a personal relationship with the assisted population and for the students to realize that they are not just donors but also receivers.
4. To integrate learning with life.
Liturgy
During the year, students will be required to attend all religious services such as school masses, the seniors' Baccalaureate Mass and Christmas Mass. The school recognizes that not all students are Catholic. The school respects the religious convictions of each individual student. Attendance is required at all religious services, but active sacramental participation is not required.