Pride of North Idaho

COEUR d'ALENE - Faith, knowledge, discipline, morals.

A poster announcing these concepts as "dividends for life" greets all who enter Holy Family Catholic School in Coeur d'Alene. They are principles that are nurtured each day in students at the school.

"It's about life. The academics are very important, and we do an excellent job with that, but it's that community, and the values that we try to get across to the kids at all grade levels," said Karen Durgin, the school's principal for 11 years. "We are preparing the kids to be lifelong learners and to really live out their faith, and become leaders."

While the kids are tackling traditional subjects - reading, writing, math, science, music, art, physical education - they are constantly working on a set of defined "school-wide learning expectations," aimed at strengthening young hearts, minds and bodies.

Sixth grade teacher Chris Lyon said her students regularly reflect on the expectations, and learn how to strive for them in their daily lives.

"They realize that a lot of what goes on here is their responsibility, that they have to engage in the learning," Lyon said. "They realize that these things are lifelong, that they're not something that's just going to end when they leave Holy Family."

A popular "school-wide learning expectation" among Lyon's middle school age students is "possesses the courage to act." They want to be the kind of person who reaches out to the classmate who is alone at recess, she said.

"I'm here because of the community," said Lyon, who is in her 14th year at the school. "The community is what makes us different. It's what makes us strong. It's that partnership with parents and students that really makes the difference."

It's obvious that the students like the school's nurturing, supportive community also.

Durgin said the nearly 1,000 alumni who have graduated from Holy Family, and then gone on to different high schools in the region, return regularly to participate in various events.

"They come back to be leaders and to share in their faith with our kids," Durgin said.

Because of Holy Family's focus on spirituality and its holistic approach, Durgin said students gain a sense of who they are and what they believe in, while they are becoming better citizens outside the school's walls.

Holy Family Catholic School was founded in 1996 by a group of parents and family members. It opened without a permanent home, with the first 58 students attending classes at St. Thomas Church. Within eight years, the school outgrew the space at the church.

Founding parent Mary Stewart coordinated the capital campaign that helped raise the funds to finance building the school in 2003 at its current site, the corner of Kathleen Avenue and Atlas Road.

"There was a lot of hard work, but I feel very strongly that it wasn't just people wanting this for their own kids. It was everyone wanting it for the community, feeling like the community lacked a Catholic school and could benefit from it," Stewart said. "I remember many of us saying, 'This is just bigger than us.' It was something we were supposed to be doing."

While the educational program at Holy Family is based on the Catholic faith, it is not a requirement for attendance. Historically, about 20 percent of the children enrolled in the school are of different faiths.

From the start, Stewart said the founders envisioned "A Catholic school for all children, not just a school for Catholic children."

Tuition for grades one through eight is $3,520 per year for students coming from families whose families are active, registered members of Catholic parishes. Others pay $4,160 per year.

Inability to pay should not preclude a family from sending their children to the school, Durgin said. There are scholarships available.

"We want any family that truly wants to be a part of our school to be able to come," she said. "We will work with families as long as they commit to our principle that the parents must be involved."

"That's a fraction of what it actually costs to educate a student," said parent Rochelle Wineinger.

The tuition covers about half of the school's operating costs. Most of the rest is raised through fundraising. The school's signature, primary fundraiser is an annual auction and dinner. This year's event takes place March 12 at The Coeur d'Alene Resort. Tickets can be purchased by calling the school.

"The things that the founding families put in place still remain such a part of our mission," Durgin said.

Parental involvement is one of those founding principles. Each family is required to make a commitment of hours that they will serve and work in partnership with teachers and other parents.

It makes a difference at the school, Durgin said, because parents and grandparents "share their gifts" in many different ways. It also provides a model for students learning that they each have gifts to bring to every table in life, and an accompanying responsibility to use those gifts for good.

"The kids benefit from all of these different talents," Durgin said.