ANNAPOLIS — Middle school students from Catholic schools in Maryland within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington joined hundreds of other nonpublic school students at the Maryland State House on March 5 to advocate for programs that help families afford nonpublic school education.
The students gathered for Nonpublic School Advocacy Day, traveling to Annapolis to observe the legislative process, meet with lawmakers and staff members, and discuss the role nonpublic schools play in Maryland’s educational landscape.
Organized in part by the Maryland Catholic Conference and the Maryland Council for American Private Education (CAPE), the event brought together students and educators from across the state. Nearly one in seven Maryland students — more than 138,000 — attend one of the state’s nearly 1,300 nonpublic schools.
CAPE is a statewide coalition representing private and religious schools across Maryland. It brings together Catholic, Jewish, Christian, Montessori, and other independent school associations to advocate for policies affecting nonpublic education. As the Maryland chapter of a national network, CAPE gives private schools a unified voice on issues such as school choice, student scholarships and education funding.
Garrett O’Day, deputy director of the Maryland Catholic Conference and vice president of CAPE, said Catholic school leaders hope lawmakers recognize the role nonpublic schools play in educating students across the state.
“Nonpublic school students are a sizable constituent base that needs their support as much as any student community,” O’Day said.
O’Day said the Maryland Catholic Conference is urging lawmakers to maintain funding for several programs supporting nonpublic school students including BOOST scholarships, textbooks and health and safety funding. The organization is also encouraging the state to take advantage of a federal education tax credit that could benefit both public and nonpublic school students.
Eighth graders from St. Joseph’s Regional Catholic School in Beltsville and seventh graders from St. Mary of the Mills School in Laurel traveled to Annapolis to advocate for continued funding of the BOOST Scholarship Program. The state-funded initiative — short for Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today — provides scholarships paid directly to participating schools for tuition and certain fees. Because the program must be funded each year through the state budget, advocates regularly travel to Annapolis to urge lawmakers to maintain or expand the program.
Briana Viegan, an eighth grader at St. Joseph’s Regional Catholic School, said students hoped legislators would continue supporting the BOOST program.
“We are here to support the nonpublic schools that aren’t getting funded by the BOOST program,” she said.
Christina Shula, also an eighth grader at St. Joseph’s, said the scholarship program helps families choose the education environment that is the best fit for their children.
“It gives families opportunities to go to these nonpublic schools instead of going to a public school,” Shula said. “It helps them meet their kids’ needs the best.”
Other students said programs such as BOOST help expand access to Catholic education for families who might not otherwise be able to afford it.
Ariella Umeh, an eighth grader at St. Joseph’s, said scholarship programs help ensure students from different economic backgrounds can attend Catholic schools.
“That way everyone, no matter their social class or financial situation, can go to a Catholic school and get a better education,” she said.
Students from St. Mary of the Mills School in Laurel also said it is important for lawmakers to understand the challenges nonpublic schools face.
Joshua Zorn, a seventh grader at the school, said some legislators may not realize private schools do not receive the same level of public funding.
“Many people have not had private school experience or have never been affiliated with private schools,” he said. “They don’t always have awareness of the lack of funding that we receive.”
During the day, students also met with legislative staff members and presented their perspectives on education policy.
A group of students met with Melanie Gordon-Newell, special assistant to the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, after hoping to speak with House Speaker Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk. Gordon-Newell told the students she would relay their questions and concerns to the speaker.
During the meeting, the students discussed legislation related to educational opportunities and asked questions about lawmakers’ goals and experiences with different types of schools.
Students do not have to be Catholic to attend Catholic schools, which welcome families of many faith backgrounds and emphasize educating the whole child through academic, moral and spiritual formation.
Advocacy Day also gave students a chance to learn about how their state government works and how laws are made.
Samantha Howard, director of government programs and grants for the Catholic Schools Office of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, said the event helps students understand how public policy affects their schools and communities.
“Advocacy Day provides an opportunity for students, educators and school leaders to engage directly with policymakers and highlight the role nonpublic schools play in serving communities across the state,” Howard said.
Howard said several programs supporting nonpublic school students remain priorities this legislative session, including health and safety funding, capital funding for school facilities, the BOOST Scholarship Program for low-income families, and state support for instructional resources such as textbooks and technology.
She also noted that a common misconception is that funding for nonpublic schools takes resources away from public schools.
“These programs are separately authorized by the state to support students and families who choose a nonpublic education,” Howard said, adding that they represent “a relatively small but important investment in educational access and diversity across Maryland’s school system.”
Howard said Advocacy Day also gives students a firsthand look at how public policy affects their schools and communities.
“These students are not only current learners,” she said. “They are also future voters and civic leaders, and it’s important that they learn early how to participate in the public square.”
Several students framed their advocacy around school choice,
Abel Haileloul, a seventh grader at St. Mary of the Mills who previously attended public school, said families should be able to choose the school that best fits their children.
“I believe students should be able to go to the school they want to go to for the better of their education and their future,” he said.
Students share their perspectives on advocacy and Catholic education
Several students who traveled to Annapolis for Nonpublic School Advocacy Day said the experience gave them a chance to reflect on their education and the role their schools play in shaping their values and communities.
Naomi Desta, an eighth grader at St. Joseph’s Regional Catholic School in Beltsville, said the close-knit environment at her school is one of its greatest strengths.
“Since it’s a smaller school, everybody is closer together and has stronger relationships with each other,” she said.
Leanne Capelli, a seventh grader at St. Mary of the Mills School in Laurel, said funding programs supporting nonpublic education are important for students and their learning environments.
“Funding is very important for our schools, and we need it for a better learning experience,” she said.
Lara Lawson, also a seventh grader at St. Mary of the Mills School, said programs that help families afford nonpublic education can open opportunities for more students.
“Not every family can afford to come to private schools, and everyone should have the chance to have a good learning experience,” she said.
Bridget Smith, an eighth grader at St. Joseph’s Regional Catholic School, said lessons about Catholic social teaching shape how students think about leadership and service.
“Our beliefs teach us to treat people well,” she said.
Christina Shula, also an eighth grader at St. Joseph’s Regional Catholic School, said participating in the event made her consider a future in public service.
“I want to give people who don’t have a voice a voice and stand up for my community,” she said. “I think it’s an amazing opportunity to help people who need it.”
