Member News

According to Lebanon Catholic’s website, a Catholic population in the Lebanon Valley community can be traced back to colonial times as early as 1716. However, it wasn’t until 1859 that the Lebanon area welcomed its Catholic school. St. Mary’s School was established in 1859, and it consisted of 20 first- and second- grade students in a two-room building.
     One hundred years later, on Oct. 11, 1959, the Lebanon Catholic School building currently located at 1400 Chestnut St. in Lebanon, on what is known as Assumption Hill, was officially dedicated by the Most Reverend Egidio Vagnozzi, Apostolic Delegate to the United States. While the school may have originally started out with only 20 students, the highest enrollment ever recorded was 700 for the 1963-64 school year.
     Lebanon Catholic’s enrollment to date is 369 students. Average class sizes range from 30 students in the elementary school classes, to 26 students in middle school classes, to 25 students in the high school classes. Since taking on the role of director of advancement at LC, Lori Kostow has made it one of her goals to increase the enrollment at LC and help the school thrive.      
     “It’s unbelievable what some of our kids are doing,” Kostow said. “The academic prowess here is astounding.”
     That “academic prowess” which Kostow so proudly speaks about is reflected in the 98% of LC graduates that go on to college.
     Lebanon Catholic is a tuition-based school. On average, Kostow explained, parents who send their children to Lebanon Catholic from kindergarten through 12th grade spend $58,000 for their child’s education. Rates range from $3,340 per year for elementary school students, $3,790 per year for middle school students, and $4,220 per year for high school students. There is an increase in rates for non-Catholic students, jumping to $4,145 for elementary, $4,930 for middle school, and $5,595 for high school.
     Some scholarship opportunities are available. Last year, Lebanon Catholic awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to help families send their students to the school. Kostow said that this year she has already had one donor come forward to pledge $100,000 in scholarship money.
     Approximately 12 percent of LC’s student population is composed of non-Catholics. Non-Catholics are welcome to attend the school, and are required to take part in prayer services and Masses. Learning about the Catholic faith, about the sacraments, and prayers are still part of students’ curriculums.
     Kostow expressed that there are some parents who do not wish to have their children indoctrinated with the Catholic faith, and that this is one of their primary reservations when first visiting the school. However, Kostow explained that the religious curriculum also serves to provoke dialogue at home with family members about faith and religion.
     Though attending Lebanon Catholic requires a monetary investment, Kostow explained that the return on investment is realized when students receive substantial scholarships to attend college. Kostow also explained that students graduating from Lebanon Catholic understand job skills and are career ready.
     One thing which Kostow always strives to express when she meets individuals through the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce or other business contacts is what Lebanon Catholic has to offer in terms of the workforce. Kostow explained that Lebanon Catholic students are able to maintain a standard of excellence and have all of the character traits that employers want to see in their employees. The school strives to mold their students into individuals who will work to build up their local community, to go out and to make a change in the world.    
     Although Lebanon Catholic’s faith-based, structured curriculum has remained consistent over the past years, the school is experiencing some changes, including offering a few virtual classes for students. Kostow stated that the “new face” of LC are students from Lebanon City. Families who want to be cognizant of their child’s academic progress are attracted to the small class sizes at Lebanon Catholic and to the structured curriculum. The strengthening of faith and the freedom to express one’s faith at Lebanon Catholic is also paramount. When Kostow takes parents of new or prospective students on tours through the school, she says they are shocked that none of the lockers have locks on them.  
     “We’re not perfect,” Kostow said. “We have our own challenges. But on a daily basis, our kids are safe. I think that our students welcome the structure we have here.”
     The biggest challenge which transfer students typically face at Lebanon Catholic is the weighted GPA system. While other schools may have grades of 90 or above being equal to an “A,” this increases at Lebanon Catholic to grades of 93 or above. The weighted GPA system is designed to teach and promote time management and discipline.
     Kostow gave the example of one particular student who transferred to LC. He was a senior who came to Lebanon Catholic with his own challenges and obstacles in life, never being told that he had the ability and capacity to learn and excel in academics. The teachers at LC worked after school with him, bumping his average grade up from an F to a B. Though he never considered going to college, he applied to Penn State and was accepted. He will be the first in his family to go to college.  
     “I love that one more degree that teachers do for their students,” Kostow stated. “We have plenty of teachers here that could go to other schools to earn twice the salary. About 20 of our past graduates are working here now.”
     Another change at the school is its expanding international student base. A number of the students are reapplying for a second-year visa so that they can continue to go to Lebanon Catholic. Kostow explained that while diversity may have been a challenge for the school in the past, LC now has a variety of nationalities represented.  
     The school’s marketing outreach and advancement departments have likewise been updated and modified, resulting in more first-time donors giving to the school. A new event was also introduced this past fall. Aaron’s Rhythm & Blues Festival was held at the St. Cecilia Parish Center on State Drive in Lebanon. It featured music, a live auction, and food. The event was held in honor of Aaron Neubauer, a 1997 graduate of Lebanon Catholic, who passed away from brain cancer. Proceeds from the event went to fund projects at the school.
     Other fundraising events include the Rosemary Sonni-Walsh Golf Tournament which enters into its 24th year in 2016.The advancement office is also in the process of planning a Legacy Gala for 2017 to honor alumni and bring together LC supporters.
     “We want to appreciate and honor our past and build upon our future,” Kostow stated.
     Anyone interested in learning more about Lebanon Catholic, enrollment, or advancement opportunities can visit their website at www.lebanoncatholicschool.org or call the school directly at 717-273-3731.