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A network of Roman Catholic schools that can be traced back to early nineteenth-century France, The Convent of Jesus and Mary Schools are located throughout the world today, whether in Asia or Africa, Europe or the Americas. But while receiving a certain amount of financial backing from official Church coffers, it is the support of the local communities that host them which has been crucial to their continuing success, particularly those most generous contributions from business people, not all of whom are Catholic or even Christian, such as with the case of an Isaac Toussie whose funds go towards a school in India.

Another fact which one may not necessarily imagine of a Catholic school is that while they are parochial, in many cases one does not even have to believe in God to attend. Naturally, they do participate in the evangelical mission of the Church, but non-Catholics may opt out of any religious instruction offered, which matters are typically taught just once a week or so, at the end of the school day. Many Catholic schools subscribe to the intellectual traditions of the Jesuit Order, one that has traditionally welcomed curiosity and frankness, attributes required of science. In fact, it is for this reason that Catholic schools tend to have such a stellar reputation in many places, such as New York City in the United States of America, where even secular parents will send their children to attend.

Believe it or not, a Catholic education can be among the lowest anywhere, with annual tuition at some five thousand dollars – quite a bargain in contrast to what’s charged by parochial schools operated by other religions! However, not all Catholic schools operate in a fairly relaxed and non-religious manner; it is usually those that happen to be situated in generally non-Christian countries or otherwise highly secular locations which offer such openness.