Blessed Be
![Blessed Sacrament](https://greaterparkhill.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/blessed-sacrament.jpg?w=300)
A Q&A with parent Ken Beck
Ken Beck: How would you describe Blessed Sacrament’s Class of 2013?
Mr. K: Prepared. Smart. Diverse. Respectful. Leaders. They’re great kids ready for their next steps in the leading high school programs in the city.
KB: Good test scores?
Mr. K: First, that’s not all we are about. But, yes, the Class of 2013 averaged standardized test scores four and five grade-levels above national norms, in most areas – that’s in line with our past eighth-grade classes. So, in that sense, they had strong test scores, which we expected.
KB: What else distinguishes this class?
Mr. K: Longevity, maybe. Perseverance. The parents of more than half the kids entrusted their education to us eight and nine years ago. These students have known each other a long time, worked hard together and played together. They have welcomed new friends who joined the journey along the way. And all our kids come to us valuing education because their parents value education. Their future is built on the shoulders of tradition and history – the Catholic education this school has delivered for 90 years now. They are solidly grounded in creative and critical thinking skills. And, these eighth-graders assumed real leadership roles with the younger students, mentoring study, safety and even social skills.
Q: What role did technology play for this class?
Mr. K: Well, between Smart Boards, the Computer Labs, and individual iPads, technology was always available, and a key component of their learning. But, technology just enables access to knowledge – more and faster. It takes teachers – partnering with parents – to create the real learning, helping our students know what to attend to in life – the important stuff. The credit for the high academics goes to our teachers and our parents, not the tech. It’s not really rocket science – no secret sauce – more common sense.
Q: Is that the difference, the teachers?
Mr. K: That’s the huge factor. Our teachers are models for the students, in faith and demeanor. We put diverse students in right-sized classrooms with strong teachers in a safe environment for learning. And, we take the time to teach the universal values of all faiths: respect for the individual and self-worth. Because we get that last part right, we have more teaching time for core academic subjects, literature, foreign language, art, music – and the students learn more, they want to learn more. It may sound strange to some, but taking the time to form a strong moral foundation creates more time for a classical academic education. And, our students make better life choices for it. Our parents credit the teachers.
Q: So, what’s your role in all this?
Mr. K: Most days I get here early to see if the rockets can be aimed a little higher before we launch to further student learning and faith formation.