We just got this from CBC. That sound you hear? Probably the collective cheers of check-writing CBC parents:
Christian Brothers College High School will hold the line on tuition for the 2009-2010 school year, with no tuition increase planned.
The school’s Board of Directors, administration, faculty and staff remain committed to keeping CBC accessible and affordable for all families in the St. Louis area, in response to the current economic downturn, explained Michael F. England, CBC President.
“The current economic crisis in America is forcing many institutions to find ways to keep private schools affordable to help our families,” he said. “CBC will not raise tuition for the 2009-2010 school year.”
CBC’s current tuition is $9,655. Its tuition is in line with other private, all-boys schools in the metro St. Louis area.
Founded in 1850 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, CBC High School is one of the oldest and most prestigious private college preparatory schools in Missouri. CBC offers a comprehensive education that is steeped in tradition and is focused on preparing its students for college and for life. More than 13,500 graduates are proud to call themselves CBC alumni.
Mike England is an absolute joke. I am an alumni, and there is no chance that I will be sending my son there. I have and will continue to lead people away from CBC. I have spoken with many peers from my graduating class, and the morale is down, and no one is proud of how the administration has changed the whole structure of the school. When brothers have been those that hold administrative positions. Now a D team basketball coach and freshman level math teacher is running the show. Get over yourself Mike England.
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CBC is a wonderful school for any catholic male to attend. There is a great chance for growth and development for each student. The teachers are wonderful role models and are very knowledgeable in their content area. I personally experienced great development during my 4 years at CBC.
I love CBC and think that freezing the tuition is a great move by the CBC administration. Does it really matter if they are doing to attract more students or to help the current families? Either way you look at it, they are setting a trend that most schools would not dare to do, and this is not the first time. If you are a parent, why would you NOT want to send your child to a school that does drug testing? Last time I checked, drugs are BAD for the development of a brain, and that minor detail that they are ILLEGAL!
I want to pose a question to the people who think that CBC is perfect and that the administration is doing a perfect job. What if some of he facts posted about the teachers whose contracts were not renewed, what if there is truth to their comments? Does it mean they are wrong to post these ideas? According to my sources, there is a lot of information posted that is accurate. It is not slanderous to post facts last time I checked. According to my sources working inside CBC, some of the things are 100% true. Lets be honest, no school administration is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, especially when they have a quick rise to power like Mike. Only in a private school could you go from a math teacher to vice principal to president, only having experience in house, all in 3 short years.
The administration is doing what they feel is best for the school, which is their job. It is just a shame that they are not always going about this in a La Sallian way.
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Next years class has been posted on the website and is larger than last years. Go to http://www.cbchs.org.
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I try to be relatively informed about CBC as a graduate with friends who have close association with the school(kids go there, for instance) and I have NEVER heard of ANY plan to go COED. If that was the case, I think the P-D’s writers would be all over that story, don’t you think? As far as enrollment goes, the story I heard was that almost all of the private schools are having a hard time attracting students, not just CBC, due to the economy and area layoffs and downsizing at corporations. I do not think CBC is ready to close its doors by any means. If people speculate, please have some basis in fact. Again, the story here is about CBC trying to HELP its families through a tuition freeze for next year.
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I heard that CBC is having such a hard time attracting students that they are concidering going coed. Can that be true? Our son transfered to a different school because he was so miserable at CBC. I agree that the current administration is really screwing things up for everyone, and I don’t understand why the board is allowing this to continue. It really is a shame. I am confused by Supportive Senior who keeps insisting that enrollment is up. Where are you getting your numbers?
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Again, I will say that CBC’s enrollment is up. The school has done a terrific job with everything and the new faces within the admissions department have really stepped up. I, unlike ‘i snort glass,’ I support the drug testing program completely. My time at CBC has been memorable and I will always remain proud of my alma mater.
Your negativity is astounding.
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Are you that naiive, or do you just work at CBC? The tuition freeze is so that people will actually ENROLL. There is NO ENROLLMENT. And it’s BECAUSE of the administration’s poor decisionmaking.
The place was great when I was there because of the great teachers who they have now ostracized and banished solely because they didn’t agree with the horrific decisions that is now destroying enrollment and the school’s reputation. Then, it started to get worse and worse, because of a growing Big Brother mentality. Cameras at every corner, watching your computers that you paid for, even testing for drugs! Teaching students to become men isn’t done by monitering and oppressing every single decision a person makes; it’s about letting them make their own decisions, let them make their own mistakes, and experience the consequences. You LEARN from mistakes, not from people forcing you not to make them. That is how life works.
Oppressing a child is the absolute WORST action you can take. It’s a psychological fact. If anybody knew anything about psychology you’d know that, but people don’t EDUCATE THEMSELVES, they just hold on to their outdated and stupid, uneducated opinions that were bore into their skulls by catholicism and conservatism.
OPEN UP YOUR EYES AND UNDERSTAND HOW THE WORLD WORKS. STOP BEING CLOSED-MINDED.
Intruding
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CBC is a wonderful school. They are committed to educating the whole person in the Lasallian tradition. CBC provides an excellent education to a diverse student population. The tuition freeze is tangible proof of their committment to follow these Lasallian principles. CBC is truly creating.. men for tomorrow and brothers for life. We are grateful for the gift of 4 great years that they have given our son at this institution.
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The place has been RUINED by the current administration. I graduated ‘07 and I witnessed the beginning of the destruction of my school, with the invasive drugs testing that is an absolute joke. Now, good teachers have been fired or let go because they do not want to pay them pensions. The administration has turned the place into A JOKE.
I want to have pride in my alma mater. But they’re making it very difficult for me to do so.
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Thanks to the current administration for keeping CBC tuition at its current level. When the cost of everything else in our world continues to increase, this is truly a blessing.
To the people who posted only negative thoughts to this blog, ignorance is bliss. I wouldn’t be too quick to judge why “good” teachers are let go. There are reasons for everything and to bash someone’s good name to protect the “innocent” is ridiculous.
I have had children at CBC since 2003 and have witnessed the daily activity of the administration and teachers during that time. It is absolutely unbelievable the level of care and respect that is given to each and every one of these boys.
There are several good high schools in St. Louis. I’m thankful that I have been able to benefit from the great job CBC has done with my boys.
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I was directed to this blog and I am 1.) appalled and 2.) discouraged by a few of the postings. The way I read the actual story (not the postings) was that Mr. England and Br. Poos are TRYING TO HELP families. I do not see this action as a reason to call them everything short of being the antichrist. Last time I checked, hundreds of people were being downsized and scrambling to find work to support their families. Knowing that CBC’s tuition will not go up is a RELIEF for families. I am having a hard time understanding how this discussion got so personal and attacking toward Mr. England and Br. Poos. I guess when you can post things anonymously, some people choose to take shots from their war bunker called te P-D blog.
I have an idea: For those posters who are not thrilled with Mr. England’s leadership, why don’t you consider writing the guy a letter, with YOUR NAME, a return phone number, an outline of your concerns about him professionally and personally, and I am sure he’d get back to you to discuss.
Finally, I am an alumni and many of my family and friends have strong CBC connections, too. I do not know the history behind the staffing situation as referred to earlier (who’s left and who was let go). I do know that there are a lot more supporters of CBC out there than the faceless, nameless posters (or posers) who choose to spit their vitriole on a blog. I am not affected by the tuition freeze, but I have a lot of respect for a school like CBC to step forward and do this. It’s a positive step for a lot of families. Let’s see if any of the other private schools choose to do the same.
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Let me say to all those with negative posts, how sad that you spend your time writing negative posts. The more negative your feelings are the more negative things will be in your life. Take your life experiences and try to find things your are grateful for (no matter how small). If you do that your life will be so much happier. You are the only one who can change your feelings be it positive or negative. The more you focus on the postive, the more good things will happen. I know that Mike England is trying to do the best he can and make good decisions. Not everyone will agree with the decisions. Mr. England, my advice to you is to stay positive and continue to do your best. You know that there are so many positive things that happen at CBC. Focus on those points.
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Folks: Get on topic and leave the personal attacks out of these comments. It’s a violation of our guidelines.
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To make a quick grammatical correction in my first paragraph, here is the fixed sentence:
This year, under the command of these administrators, the school has seen great morale and spirit is at a high.
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As a current CBC senior I must insert my opinion. Michael England and Brother David Poos are two men that truly care about CBC. Having had both in class, I can say that they are the finest, most passionate teachers around and care deeply about their students. This year, under the command of these administrators, the school has seen great morale spirit is at a high.
Under Mr. England, CBC has also developed a stellar Honors Program and new Academic Team. This team has won the Private School League Championship and placed first in the Washington High School Scholar Classic. This only attests to the type of students CBC is capable of producing.
More importantly, however, CBC is dedicated to the growth of not just the most academically inclined students but any student at any level. The LaSallian tradition of CBC has made it a true cross-section of society and students will be prepared in dealing with people from all walks of life. The concentration on the LaSallian philosophy and student faith development as well as academic endeavors makes CBC such a top-notch institution.
In response to ‘cbcsenior,’ our enrollment has actually gone up this year and a phenomenal admissions team is to thank. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at CBC and can not imagine having attended another institution.
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I graduated from CBC last year in the class of 2008 and I couldn’t help but to respond to some of these comments. First off, there were many teachers who lost their job last year at CBC, some of which were well respected and very highly regarded by everybody. To call them “malcontents” is out of line. The teachers that were let go were the people who made me proud to say I went to CBC.
Also I think that Poos, England, and Eschmanne deserve what is being said about them. They do not respect students nor the teachers, and pretty much have it coming to them.
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To all the Christian Critics of CBC Administration, Mike England and Brother David Poos, I simply ask how you must feel after anonymously and opening attacking the character of these two fine men? I also wonder who was in the charge of CBC when you attended and learned these fine Christian qualities…I suggest you spend less time bashing and more time searching for the truth…maybe you need to take a good look in the mirror before you criticize others. I want to let Mike and Brother David know that there are more supporters than critics out there…keep your eye on the ball. God Bless.
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CBC is an awesome school and I love it. I cant wait to come back next year with the tuition being frozen. My parents are so proud of me.
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Ok, I’m actually a current senior at CBC this year. Mike England and David Poos have driven this school into the ground since I got there. All of the “malcontents” that were “let go” last year were absolutely fantastic teachers whom were well liked by the faculty and the students. To throw it in the former loyal faculty members faces they go out to hire young teachers right out of college presumably because they get paid less in comparison to the veteran teachers they let go.
The school has changed such an incredible amount since England took over and it’s not for the better. The school is basically a prison and kids don’t want to have to deal with that. Not only drug testing has driven people away but random cell phone checks, hard drive scans (for porn), and any other possible way to monitor their students. My class is the last class to have a “home account” on their laptops where they can freely search the web or play games at home.
Anyway, England is only doing this for PR and nothing else. Enrollment drops steeply every year and will continue to do so as long as he’s at the helm
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mike the wonder boy and brother david poos tried to strong arm terry michler into retiring last year. they received very strong opposition to this and then backed off. if either of these 2 ever accomplish what terry has done in regards to bringing attention to the institution it would be a shocker. poos is not all there from what some say. he is also credited for creating a mess at his last assignment before he came back to start this destruction project. england is way in over his head and is now realizing the faculty is not a fan of his and starting to change his tone. they are looking to cut expenses by ridding themselves of tenured teachers. if the folks in chicago could do it over again i would assume they would of made michael jordan the former principal the president. they are now stuck with a weak leader in england. i personally think england is out of touch he doesnt even recognize the attitude he gives off.. i have said enough but feel the truth needs to be out there. i dont think the other institutions are having the same financial problems. bottom line the new anti drug policy has cost them new students. enrollment is down again as in past years and mike and poos need to look at the mirror as to why.
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The proud cadet is woefully misinformed if he believes that England /Poos got rid of a few malcontents because they weren’t doing their jobs. That’s libel and I suggest that he should more careful in making such a statement. Not only did the school fire teachers whose performance was solid, who were respected by their peers and beloved by their students (one of whom was only five years away from retirement and had to move to another state to save his pension)—the school subsequently lost a number of gifted teachers who voluntarily made a move to go where their gifts would be respected and where seniority is treated as an asset rather than a liability. It’s wonderful that the proud cadet retains happy memories of his years at CBC, as well he should, but he should be very careful about whose reputation he tarnishes.
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CBC is educating students for less than $10,000? SLPS is currently spending more than $15,000 per student!
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I think that Drew and the so called faculty member are one in the same. Unfortunately, Mr. England had to let some malcontents go last year.
They were not doing their jobs correctly and he wants what’s best for the young men. England is doing a great job! Fundraising is up, hundreds of alumni are coming back to CBC to be part of the “new” CBC and academics are much better.CBC just beat SLUH and MICDS in an academic contest of A track kids. That’s pretty awesome. Oh, the classmate that makes the disparaging remark,the school had to dismiss a former classmate. Gosh, I wonder if it is one and the same that complains about England. The tuition announcement made over 800 families pretty happy tonight. Thanks CBC for the great education!!!!
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Hate to say it, but Englands not the guy. Went there with him and ego can’t overcome a lack of all other skills needed to run any organization.
sad days while he’s there!
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I MISS THE OLD PLACE. I ALWAYS WONDER IF THEY WOULD OF BEEN BETTER OFF STAYING ON CLAYTON RD. IT IS AN AWESOME NEW FACILTY BUT THE NOSTALGIA IS GONE. I THINK THAT IS WHY SOME OF THE FORMER ALUMNI STAY AWAY. JUST A THOUGHT. HOPING THEY CAN SURVIVE!!
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england is in over his head. now that it is being exposed through his lack of people skills and the tough economy he is trying to rally the troops. mike, that will get you nowhere. people always see a fake!! confidentially submitted by disgruntled member of faculty.
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If any parents are hesitant to check out CBC, please know that there are tens of thousands of dollars up at CBC for financial assistance for the working class families. Most students at CBC are from middle class families. I graduated from CBC in 2002 and a group of my buddies started a scholarship for one of our brothers (classmates) that died shortly after we graduated. There are several dozen of these scholarships available at the school.
Sorry for advertising the school, but I just really like going there and like to see other students get the same chance I was lucky enough to get.
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faculty moral is down and the new administration has fumbled the ball. they have no choice. i just hope the cadets can keep doors open. maybe england abdthe great brother poos can go away and i bet donors respond!!
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Great news for CBC parents and students. Too bad that our universities will not follow suit.
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Wow. That’s much higher than it was when I graduated in 2000. I think it was $5500. Of course, I was in the old Clayton building and was trying to schedule classes to all be in the parts with AC since most of the building wasn’t cooled.
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