The following testimonials have been submitted by current students, families and graduates.
We are the parents of three boys who went to St. Mary Help of Christian School, kindergarten through 6th grade. Our oldest then went to South Jr. High and graduated from Tech High school. This is the path we had planned for all three boys to do. Our thinking was a GREAT start in education and a STRONG faith to help them move forward in life. When our second started South Jr. High, we were not happy with many different situations that were happening in the public schools. We asked ourselves if this is still what we wanted for the younger two boys. So what now? Our oldest never got the opportunity to go to J23 and Cathedral High School. We would've loved him to, but cost scared us away.
It was a hard decision, cost being number one. But it has been the best decision we have made for our family to continue on with Catholic education. The experience has been above what we even expected it to be. Teachers go above being just a teacher. Faith in every class and the ability to talk about it is what we believe in as a family. Yes, our budget was redone and redone until we figured the cost in. What we experience everyday at J23 and Cathedral is that it's worth it!
Johnston family
We have been so happy with Cathedral. Our son Jordan attended a smaller non-denominational school in the St Cloud area and we really enjoyed the small class size, however they did not have a comprehensive sports program and our son would be lost without that extra curricular part of his school year. We talked with Kathy Lahr to start investigating the Cathedral option and were so impressed with the way Kathy treated us. We then decided to go to the Open House where we once again were met with wonderful people. We really got the feeling that the teachers and staff at Cathedral really believe in their mission and enjoy their jobs. The kids at Cathedral accepted Jordan immediately and he continues to enjoy friends and school. Mrs. Grewing genuinely loves and cares for the students at Cathedral and knows them by name. Academically, Jordan has grown by leaps and bounds. He now has a goal to enter the medical field. Two years ago he had no motivation I believe some is due to maturity but a big part is the teachers and students that he interacts with. Overall Darren and I are extremely happy with Cathedral.
Barb & Darren Revier
Our parents made the decision to send us to CHS, and we are very thankful. Not only was that the place where we met, but it was the school that prepared us for the rest of our lives. The education we received was remarkable. We did not know of our great high school education until we went to college where we were thrown in with students from all over the world. Our educational background not only allowed us to keep up with the other students, but we were able to excel. Students in college are usually pretty stressed; however, we believe that CHS greatly prepared us for not only our homework and exams, but time management, prioritizing, and independence. All components we believe were necessary to have a successful college experience.
The classroom environment created at CHS allowed learning to come naturally. The small class sizes and one-on-one interaction with the teachers made learning better and allowed getting help in difficult areas to be easy. This helped students to not become discouraged, but instead get the help they needed so they could move on to more difficult material. Also, allowing God in the classroom is not only important to our religion, but added to the atmosphere of school. We always felt safe at school, which allowed us to focus on our education.
Ryan and Sarah Engdahl (’02)
Cathedral High School provided the foundation that has brought me to the place I am today. At Cathedral, I was encouraged and challenged to explore my faith. Through that exploration, I gained an appreciation of the Catholic faith and felt challenged to continue learning about my faith. I also felt supported by the faculty who truly cared about the students they were working with. Through classes and extracurricular activities, I learned about the role that perseverance and commitment play in being successful. As I look back at my time at Cathedral High School, I am thankful for the friendships I made, for the knowledge I received and for preparation it gave to move into the next stage of my life.
Scott Frieler (’95)
Looking back at my years at CHS, I would say the biggest role that the school played in my education was the teachers and staff who taught at CHS. I have very fond memories of the teachers I had. They established true relationships with you as a person, not just as a young student who was in their class at the time. They really dedicated their time to you by listening or helping you. I think they were wonderful role models and truly Christian witnesses. Maybe those role models formed my own dedication to Catholic education; if so, I am grateful to them.
I have many fond memories and long lasting friendships from my years at CHS. I am looking forward to the years coming up when my own children will attend CHS and make their own memories there. A sign of true dedication are the teachers that are still there from when I attended. Their devotion to Catholic education is appreciated by those of us who have graduated from CHS and plan on sending our own children in the near future.
Amy Host O’Neal (’88)
Much of who I am today as a person revolves around my family and my experiences in education, especially while at Cathedral High School. The teachers at Cathedral were always available to help and seem to have a genuine interest in the success of the students. While at Cathedral I was involved in football, basketball and baseball as well as choir and Minnesingers. While the education that I received at Cathedral was excellent and prepared me for college, the experiences that I received from extracurricular activities were just as valuable. The relationships that I developed while in school and participating in the extracurricular activities are relationships that I still have today. The sense of community that is fostered at Cathedral is something that you can’t measure; it is something that has to be experienced to be appreciated. As a father I can only hope that my three children will have the same opportunity that I had and they will get a chance to experience all that Cathedral has to offer.
Jeff Hess (’86)
Cathedral gave me an excellent foundation intellectually, academically and socially. I feel like I received a great education from teachers that really cared about you as a person and wanted you to succeed, not only in high school but beyond. Cathedral provided me with the tools to excel in college and dental school. I enjoyed the smaller class sizes at Cathedral and that you knew everyone in your grade. It gave me a good chance to get to know my classmates and proved helpful with networking as I got older. The extracurricular activities also helped me to become a more well-rounded person. I was involved in tennis, basketball, softball and the Les Voyageurs program. During college I also guided a Les Voyageurs crew through which I learned you must be prepared for whatever comes your way. I enjoyed my time at CHS and feel that it prepared me well for success in life.
Sara Como Layne (’96)
I believe the Lord sent me to John XXIII School for many good reasons; he wants me to grow and learn in a faith-filled environment with many loving and caring people. He set my path to go to John XXIII. I am so grateful to be here. I value going to John XXIII because of the great education, the sports programs, and the faith-filled environment.
In the second week of school I tripped on the stairs and my books went everywhere. Even though I laughed about it, the fall still really hurt. But what made my day was that a senior picked up my books for me and said with a smile, “Don’t worry! It happens to everybody.” This proved to me that even the oldest students are always there to help me and show me what respect really means. That’s why I value the faith-filled learning environment.
I am glad God guided my life here because I know this is the best place for me, and this is where my future and my values connect.
7th grade student (’15)
William S. Burroughs once wrote, “The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values.” To me this means that education is knowing what I value in life. My parents and I value a good education and success in life. I know that John XXIII School will help me achieve these goals.
I receive an education by the challenging classes, the help the teachers give me, and the preparation I am receiving for what will come next year. These are the reasons I value my education at John XXIII School.
7th grade student (’15)
Mr. Herdan,
ABSOLUTELY AWESOME! There are no other words for it.... thank you so much for bringing all these talented
musicians together! Every group sounded fantastic, and what an inspiration it was for all the students to hear the special
guest. I sat between my fourth and sixth grade sons who kept uttering, "I want to play in that band some day!" (They're already in band and headed your way in the future!) Thank you again for a terrific evening!
Brenda Silkman
(mother of one of your seventh grade band students)
To Cathedral Considerants!
My daughter moved from Apollo to Cathedral her junior year by her choice; a wonderful decision on her part! The school, in its entirety, welcomed us without reservation.
By lunch time on Sarah’s first day of school multiple students had sincerely welcomed her, offered help, and she received an invitation to eat lunch with a group of students. This inclusive behavior did not stop after the novelty of the ‘new student’ wore off! This is who and what Cathedral students and faculty are! They appreciate each other’s strengths and weaknesses, their similarities and differences. Note: this is also true of the parents as they interact with the students!
From a parent’s perspective, I feel very connected and informed about the school. I have always been treated with respect and have never felt judged. My inquiries, whether answered by staff or other parents, have all been met with positive, helpful responses. I love the smaller class sizes and the very personal nature of the entire school. All kids, all grades, all families are one.
We find the focus is on education (yes it is tougher curriculum but there are so many opportunities for help that things balance out nicely!) and personal development (both in class and with extra activities). The environment is one of caring and support. Both my daughter and I have found immeasurable value and joy at Cathedral and we whole heartedly recommend this school.
Most sincerely,
Mary Ann Terwey