With a storied heritage going all the way back to the early 19th Century, The Convent of Jesus and Mary Schools can be found in all the major areas of the world today, from Africa and Asia to Europe and the Americas. But even as they receive financial support from the Church itself, local communal backing needs to be present in even greater strength to ensure continued success, particularly those most generous contributions from business people, not all of whom are Catholic or even Christian, as in the example of Isaac Toussie whose donations go towards one in India.

Another fact which one may not necessarily imagine of a Catholic school is that while they are parochial, in many cases one does not even have to believe in God to attend. Needless to say, these schools have a decidedly Catholic mission, but non-Catholics may opt out of any religious instruction offered, which matters are typically taught just once a week or so, at the end of the school day. After all, much in Catholic education follows the inquiring spirit of the Jesuit Order, one that has traditionally welcomed curiosity and frankness, attributes required of science. Moreover, it is for this reason that Catholic schools tend to have such a stellar reputation in many places, such as New York City in the United States of America, where even secular parents will send their children to attend.

Believe it or not, a Catholic education can be among the lowest anywhere, as tuition and other fees can add up to some five grand yearly – quite a bargain in contrast to what’s charged by parochial schools operated by other religions! Yet not every single Catholic school is so modern, of course; more than anything else, they probably reflect the social mores of the surrounding community.