Union Catholic High School (or Union Catholic, for short), a leading private school in New Jersey, U.S.A, is inviting Filipino families to explore the enriching academic and extracurricular programs offered at their institution. Through their recently held “Beyond Boundaries” roadshow in the Philippines, Union Catholic representatives were able to show glimpses of student life at their school to Filipino parents (and even non-parents!).  

Founded in 1962, Union Catholic is a well-established institution known for “its rigorous academic programs, faith-based values, and commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment.” This was emphasized further during the roadshow, which had two “legs”—the first was at U.P. Town Center in Quezon City on June 18, and the second was at The Mind Museum in Taguig City on June 19.

“There are many reasons for you to want to come to Union Catholic,” says Dr. James Reagan, Assistant Principal of Union Catholic High School, who was part of the three-person delegation behind the roadshow.  “We have a wonderful community where all members of our community are respected. We have a diverse student body, dedicated faculty, and dynamic, first-rate facility, but the bottom line is here at Union Catholic, we love one another and want to see each member of our school community succeed.” 

Why Choose Union Catholic High School?

Union Catholic offers a rigorous academic program that prepares students for top colleges and universities. Highly qualified and dedicated teachers create a stimulating learning environment that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. 

Staci Gialanella, the parent of students from the Class of 2020 and 2026, affirms the school’s strong academic program: “Union Catholic provides fertile ground to be able to achieve excellence.” 

Filipino families will especially appreciate the school’s commitment to:

• A Strong Values-Based Foundation: Union Catholic integrates important values into its curriculum and daily life, fostering a sense of service, compassion, and respect for others.

• Diverse Course Offerings: Beyond a core curriculum, Union Catholic offers a wide range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, electives, and specialized programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM).

• Vibrant Extracurricular Activities: Students can explore their interests and develop leadership skills through a variety of clubs, organizations, and athletic teams.

• Supportive Community: Union Catholic fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment where students feel supported by their peers, teachers, and counselors.

Speaking of community, Sabrina Hackett, one of the students from Union Catholic’s Class of 2025, shares why she likes studying there: “The Union Catholic community is so wonderful and makes every student feel welcome. Even though everyone comes from different places, as we go through our high school experience, our class becomes our family.”

Jason Chen, a student from the Class of 2026, agrees with Sabrina. “The environment, the people, the classes; it just feels like home,” he says.

Union Catholic alumna Raymond Lestarchick, who graduated in 2019, has only fond memories of his years there, especially of the people. “The faculty care about their students and want to see them succeed,” he shares. “The students become so close together under that environment that some become friends for life.”

Exploring Union Catholic for Filipino Families

Union Catholic is committed to providing a seamless transition for Filipino students. The school offers resources such as:

• ESL Support: For students who are still developing their English language skills, Union Catholic offers English as a Second Language (ESL) support services.

• Cultural Clubs and Organizations: Filipino students can connect with their heritage and build friendships through cultural clubs and organizations. 

• Multilingual Staff: Union Catholic has staff members who are familiar with Filipino culture and can assist families with the admissions process.

During the “Beyond Boundaries” roadshow, Dr. Jennifer Dixon, Director of School Counseling, also shared about their “homestay” program for international students. Under the program, each student is “matched” with a host family. This helps ensure that they feel “at home” even if they are far from their loved ones. 

Elito Tanyag, a religion teacher at Union Catholic who was also at the roadshow, had actually hosted several international students. As a Filipino himself, he expressed his hope that he would one day host Filipino students under the school’s “homestay” program. 

He also assured the Filipino parents present at the roadshow that, as the school’s Filipino Club Moderator, he makes sure that the students are in touch with their culture but encouraged to be independent at the same time. “It’s like having a Filipino Tito at school,” he joked. 

A World of Possibilities Awaits

It was evident at the roadshow that Union Catholic High School truly believes in nurturing the potential of every student, no matter where they come from. By choosing Union Catholic, Filipino families are opening a world of possibilities for their children. With a strong academic foundation, a supportive community, and a commitment to cultural diversity, Union Catholic is poised to help students achieve their dreams and truly go beyond boundaries.

Interested families are encouraged to visit their official website and check their page for International Admissions. Details about their short-term programs for international students can also be found on their website. They also have a page dedicated to Scholarship Opportunities.