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HFCS Family Experiences

- Merriweather Family
  
  Our family have been members of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish for many years. We joined Holy Family Catholic School this year because we were looking for a strong community to help guide our children in faith and education. The small class size, faith based learning, higher educational standards and overall structure, are just a few things that drew us to pursue a Catholic education.
  Our family really sought a school with a strong faith foundation and higher student expectations, especially as they grow closer to high school. But truly the faith community is what makes this work. Fundraisers, activities, PTO, and volunteering doesn’t feel like an obligation. It’s important to give back and we want to model that expectation of good citizenship for our kids.
  In our experience with large public schools, we felt our girls got lost in the mix. Since our change to private education, we have seen improved grades and healthier peer relationships. The girls are learning more about accountability and becoming good citizens. They are even more excited to go to church on Sundays.
  We joke about the hassle of driving across town, past their old schools each morning, but there is no real sacrifice we are making for our children to attend Holy Family. This entire experience has been a blessing.
  If you are thinking about a Catholic education for your child, I would advise you to talk to another family about it, specifically, the kids. Any one of my girls will tell you how happy they are with our decision to attend a Catholic school, even if they don’t love the uniforms. They will tell you their peers feel like family- like a room full of extra siblings, or that this is the first time that they feel like their teachers actually know them and care about them. Our experience this year makes me wish we had made this decision sooner.
- Roberts Family
  
  Tell us a little about your family.
  Our names are Dusty and Kimberly Roberts. We have two children at Holy Family Catholic School. Our oldest child Aiden is a freshman at Hayden High School. Our middle child Avery is in the 6th grade and our youngest child Alyse is in 2st grade. We transferred to Holy Family about 8 years ago. We chose Holy Family because we wanted a smaller school atmosphere where our kids felt part of a family and most importantly, where they could learn about and grow in their Catholic faith.
  
  What do you feel your children get at Holy Family that they would not get somewhere else?
  We feel like the education at Holy Family is amazing. Our children get pushed to achieve their potential by their teachers. They get to openly learn and discuss their faith and we've seen them become more passionate towards others over the years. They also get to learn and are immersed in other cultures which they wouldn't get to do at another school.
  
  What would you share with others about the value of the sacrifices your family has made for your children to attend Holy Family?
  We have never felt like we have had to sacrifice anything to have them attend Holy Family; we feel very blessed our children are given the opportunity to attend such an amazing school.
  
  What advice would you give families who are considering Holy Family?
  Our advice to anyone considering Holy Family would be to come and tour the school, meet the staff and kids, and see the FAMILY this school has created and the confidence it has instilled in the kids. Holy Family makes each child feel special and loved; at Holy Family, they're not just a number.
- Abbey Family
  
  Robert & I have been members of the Sacred Heart/St. Joseph parish since 2008. My oldest son started at Holy Family Preschool in 2014, and my younger son in 2017. This year is our 10^th year with students enrolled. Jacob is now in 8^th Grade and Robbie is in 5th Grade.
  
  The student-to-teacher ratio at Holy Family, the responsiveness of faculty and staff, the faith-driven lessons being incorporated into every aspect of the students’ days, and the diversity of the student body are just some of the benefits our children get from attending Holy Family that they wouldn’t receive elsewhere. In addition, in the time we’ve attended Holy Family, the New Family Mentor Program has been instituted, which I think is an invaluable asset that most other schools can’t or don’t offer.
  
  We don’t consider anything we’ve done to send our kids to Holy Family to be a sacrifice, but rather an investment in their future. They’re not only receiving a top-notch education, they’re receiving it in a Christ centered environment. That’s not something we’ve been able to put a price tag on.
  
  Many schools in Topeka can offer some of the benefits I’ve listed, but the only one that can offer them all is Holy Family. Holy Family offers a true sense of belonging to a community. The faculty and staff care deeply about our children’s education and Catholic formation, and we are investing in their continuing education. If those are your priorities, there’s not a better choice to make than Holy Family.
- Arbaiza Family
  
  Andre and I both were raised in the Catholic faith. We knew we would raise our children in the Catholic faith as well. I moved to Topeka over 20 years ago and started my search for a Catholic church that felt right.
  
  Five years later I attended St. Joseph Church again and Father Tim was giving the sermon at that time. I enjoyed how down to earth he. was and easy to relate to. After a while I became a member. This was before we had Miles.
  At first, we were not sure if Catholic school would be something we could achieve, financially. After talking to Father Tim and attending Kindergarten Rounduup, we made it a goal to be able to send Miles to Holy Family Catholic School.
  
  I know there are many Catholic grade schools in the area we could have chosen, but I like the smaller class sizes and the idea of paras in the classroom to help at Holy Family.
  
  I know Miles has benefited from having the extra help with his learning. Every year the teachers have communicated with us on Miles' strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has always been very friendly and helpful. It's like having an extended family in the school. Everyone works together to make the children be successful.
  
  Miles has grown in his faith over the years at Holy Family. He loves to help in his community and his church. He has also developed strong relationships.
- Colorado-Galicia Family
  
  Carlos and I have been members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church our entire lives and although we didn’t attend Holy Family, my younger siblings did and I really liked the education they received. When it came down to my own children, I knew what kind of education I wanted for them. We have Claudette who is currently in the 5th Grade and Eli who is in 2st grade and they both absolutely love Holy Family.
  
  I feel like Holy family has offered many outstanding opportunities for my children. They have wonderful dedicated teachers who care to educate and to better them in this world. The communication with the teachers is amazing. With the smaller class sizes, they are able to pin point each child’s specific needs. My children have had the honor of learning about their faith and devoting time to God. They would not have had the amount of time in school to learn about there faith if they attended a public school, so I am very grateful for their Catholic education.
  
  My husband and I have made a professional sacrifice to help our children attend Catholic school. We have a supportive family that has supported my children in their Catholic faith journey. My husband and I are very active in my childrens' school and faith activities. I am a member of the Holy Family Catholic School Board which has given me a better insight on the education my children and other children receive on the daily and I love to help grow the community and make Holy Family the best school it can be!
  
  If you’re considering Holy Family, take the leap of faith because in the end you are benefiting your family and your children by allowing them the opportunity to grow in both their faith and community.
- Holthaus Family
  
  This is our 15th year with children attending Holy Family. Our oldest is a junior in college and started HFCS in the 2nd grade. We currently have one attending Hayden Catholic High School who started with Holy Family in Pre-K, and our two youngest are currently enrolled. We are so blessed that we are able to send our children to Holy Family. We love the class sizes and attention they receive from all the faculty and staff. My husband and I both attended local Catholic grade schools and graduated from Hayden. We both knew early on that when we started a family, there would be no doubt that we would make every sacrifice our parents did to send our children to Catholic schools. Our four children being able to openly speak about God and live the life he intended for all of us is not a negotiable item for us. Knowing that every day they are around people who love and truly want them to be the best disciples they can gives us peace of mind. With worldly views changing at record pace, it makes us feel secure knowing that the values God taught us are being reinforced when the children are at school.