And so, the Archdiocese of Miami will begin its experiment with charter schools this fall. What was intended as a pilot program at one parish – Corpus Christi in Wynwood – will become, for financial reasons, the norm at seven more. Charters also will open in August where five other Catholic schools closed this June: Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Divine Providence in Sweetwater, St. Francis Xavier in Overtown, St. Stephen in Miramar and St. Clement in Fort Lauderdale.

A seventh charter will open at St. Malachy in Tamarac, which opted to close its school before its financial situation deteriorated further. And an eighth charter will open in Miami Gardens, in the building used by St. Monica School until it closed in May 2008.

Charter schools are free, funded by public dollars, so religion cannot be taught during the school day. Unlike traditional public schools, however, charter schools operate independently of the local school board and have more leeway in managing day-to-day operations.

Because the parishes are leasing their former school buildings to the charter schools, they are deriving income from the properties. The amount ranges between $150,000 and $350,000 this first year, “depending on the size, capacity and condition of the facilities,” according to Fernando Zulueta, president of Academica, a company that provides management and support services for most of the charter schools opening on archdiocesan properties.

Every morning, students at the Trinidad campus of Center City Public Charter Schools in Washington, D.C., line up on the pavement outside the school — girls in plaid jumpers, boys in navy slacks and white shirts. Hands on their chests, they recite the school’s mission:

"The Center City Public Charter Schools empower our children for success through a rigorous academic program and strong character education while challenging students to pursue personal excellence in character, conduct and scholarship in order to develop the skills necessary to both serve and lead others in the 21st century."

It’s not the Lord’s Prayer, but it will have to do. Decidedly devoid of godliness, the children’s chant is an attempt by the school to replace one element of the religious education it used to impart. Trinidad is one of seven financially-troubled Catholic schools in the District of Columbia that converted to charter schools last fall in order to save them from being permanently shuttered.

The price for losing its religion is complicated. On one hand, the charter structure brought with it several thousand dollars more per student than the Archdiocese of Washington was able to provide, and it offered a guaranteed place for Holy Name’s former students and teachers.

Writing in the September issue of NCEA Notes, NCEA President Karen Ristau dispels the notion that a Catholic charter school is a possibility. "Catholic school leaders must be very clear about the difference between charter schools and the goals and aims of Catholic education," she wrote.

While explaining that charter schools were created to allow parents and educators the opportunity to explore innovative teaching methods and curriculum with autonomy, charter schools clearly remain "public schools, funded by public tax money," Ristau said. "These schools provide parental choice in the local public school system, which typically offers few options to parents." She added, "Charter schools may not teach religion or display any religious symbols; they may not allow prayer or religious activities. Students may sing songs about reindeers and Santa, but not about silent nights and the baby Jesus."

On the other hand, "Catholic schools are, and must remain, places where faith and culture are intertwined in all areas, places of excellent secular and religious education. The Catholic faith is an integral part of the daily life of the school; the environment is permeated by faith and gospel values."

Although financial distress may lead to the closing of a Catholic school and the opening of a charter school in the same location, "there must be no doubt that the resulting school is not a Catholic school," the educational leader continued. "Secular values may be the foundation of the school's charter, but they cannot be informed by faith and Catholic teaching." Ristau noted that, "following the creation of a charter school, many of the school personnel and students from the closed Catholic school may remain, but the original Catholic mission will be eroded as a direct result of the secular nature of the school. Over time, as new students and faculty enter the charter school, this erosion will continue."