Community Corner
A College Prep Investment That Pays Dividends
Paramus Catholic Graduating Classes Offered College Scholarships that Exceed the Cost of High School Tuition
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Most parents paying for high school do so for a variety of reasons. A more focused education for their student, college preparatory courses, sports, and club opportunities not available in today’s public schools, perhaps safety and student well-being.
But have you realized that the costs of educating a Catholic or private school student is, in fact, a solid investment in college that not only helps the student get into the college or university of their choice, but one that enables real returns in college grants, awards and scholarships for your student?
For example, Fiona Carter, a standout at Paramus Catholic both as a student and athlete. A 94.56 cumulative GPA during her four years at Paramus Catholic, she was a National Honor Society member and highly decorated member of the track team.
Paramus Catholic was the right environment for Fiona. “Fiona applied to schools that were interested in her for Track and Field”, states Brigid Dwyer-Carter, Fiona’s mother. “The dividends paid to her on graduation from Paramus Catholic, for both athletics and academics, far exceeded what we thought was possible “
Fiona applied to Holy Cross, UMass, and University of Illinois before choosing Temple. She was awarded scholarships and grants totaling 75% of tuition at Temple. With the additional academic incentives, the Carter family was able to give Fiona a top-notch education, one that allowed her to run track as well, at very little out-of-pocket for Fiona’s four years at Temple.
It turns out Fiona was not alone when it came to receiving dividends from her Paramus Catholic education. Fiona’s Class of 2022 received over $63M in scholarships and grants from the universities they were accepted to. College grants per student over the past five years exceeds that of a family’s investment in tuition at Paramus Catholic for a four-year college prep education.
Recent pre- and post-pandemic graduating classes at Paramus Catholic have been averaging over $50,000 per student in scholarships and grants at the colleges and universities they eventually choose to attend, including some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in America, many close to New Jersey.
With a tuition at Paramus Catholic under $14,000/per year, the school is one of the best values in education in New Jersey.
Founded in 1965, Paramus Catholic was originally structured as an all-boys and all-girls school, with separate staff and classrooms. The school was integrated as a co-ed environment in the 1990s.
Today, Paramus Catholic is one of the largest and top-ranked Catholic high schools in New Jersey. Its sprawling 27-acre complex hosts a wide variety of athletic and other events, with turfed football fields, baseball, soccer, cross country, even a “Bubble” for indoor all-weather tennis and other activities.
But most of all, Paramus Catholic is proud of its all-inclusive, faith and wellness-centered environment- a “real world” college- prep experience where students are free to explore their personal interests and explore the many courses and paths available to students.
Many students at Paramus Catholic are involved in activities as diverse as varsity athletics, a club or two, theatre, and music, among the schools’ top-notch arts programs. All while enjoying mentoring, and a wide variety of tools in place for true college prep academic success.
“We are a true life-learning environment, where students’ academic success is tied to their happiness every day”, state Dr Stephanie Macaluso, President/Principal of Paramus Catholic, herself a product of K-12 Catholic schools. “We believe we enable superior outcomes in students, as they are challenged and supported by a staff that works together every day to ensure the maximum potential of our students.”
Dr. Macaluso also believes that the success of the investment families make in their student’s education at Paramus Catholic is directly aligned with the four foundational “pillars” of the Paramus Catholic experience- Faith, Academics, Security and Wellness.
“Paramus Catholic is a “real world” environment, not a bubble”, states Jalen Augustine a senior basketball player who also does video production, participates in the talent show, and writes and sells his own music on YouTube. “You can be yourself here and fit in whatever you choose to do”. Jalen hopes to study stock trading following graduation.
Paramus Catholic students are attending colleges and universities such as Princeton in nearby Princeton, NJ; Providence College, Seton Hall, Villanova, Wake Forest, Columbia, St. John’s, and Boston College, to name a few.
“I am looking to attend Notre Dame”, states Aubrey Rice, a strong academic student who also is a member of the school’s cheerleading squad. “I am challenged academically; it is an environment that makes you work hard to excel”, adds Aubrey. “I have also made a lot of friends here”, says the future business and finance major.
Kristin Yehle, mother of a former Paramus Catholic student, echoes this sentiment. “Paramus Catholic has taught our daughter, Kaity, the importance of education.” Kristin offers. “Because of the strong support from her teachers, she earned several academic scholarships that enabled her to attend the University of Rhode Island. She was happy and prepared when she left for college.”
To learn more about Paramus Catholic’s four foundational pillars and how they are implemented each day, visit www.paramuscatholic.com/about .
Interested students and families can also sign-up for the “Paladin for a Day” program, which gives 8th grade students and transferees the chance to spend a day at PC and explore all it has to offer.
Students can sign up on the school’s website at www.paramuscatholic.org, or call the school at 201-445-4466 to arrange a personalized tour of the campus and meet the administrators.
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