For Catholic educators, preparing a classroom is more than organizing materials or decorating walls. It is an opportunity to create an environment where students encounter truth, goodness, beauty, and Christ. The Catholic classroom should reflect the Church’s vision of education: the formation of the whole person—mind, heart, imagination, and soul.
The question for teachers is not only, “What should my classroom look like?” but also, “What kind of person is this environment helping my students become?”
So, as the pages of your summer calendar drift by and thoughts of the school year-to-come slowly creep in, let us consider how we can begin to prepare a Catholic classroom.
BEAUTY
Catholic education has always recognized that beauty plays an important role in forming the human person. Beauty awakens wonder and draws the heart toward what is good.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in speaking on sacred art in liturgical spaces, says:
2503 “For this reason bishops, personally or through delegates, should see to the promotion of sacred art, old and new, in all its forms and, with the same religious care, remove from the liturgy and from places of worship everything which is not in conformity with the truth of faith and the authentic beauty of sacred art.”
— CCC 2503
Of course, our classrooms are not a liturgical space in the same way that a church or chapel is, and yet, our students will, through prayer and study, come to know and love God while in their classrooms. A Catholic classroom should, therefore, be a place where students encounter beauty—not as decoration, but as a means of formation.
Reflection questions:
- What does my classroom teach students to notice?
- Are the images and objects surrounding students worthy of their attention?
- Does my classroom encourage wonder?
Practical applications:
- Display fewer, higher-quality images rather than covering every surface
- Include sacred art, classical artwork, maps, scientific/content specific images
- Display student work carefully and respectfully
- Leave areas of visual quiet so important objects can stand out
- Choose a unified color scheme throughout the classroom space
- Incorporate opportunities for observation and reflection
ATMOSPHERE: ANIMATED BY THE GOSPEL
“It is only natural that they should come to think of the school as an extension of their own homes, and therefore a “school- home” ought to have some of the amenities which can create a pleasant and happy family atmosphere.” – The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School, 27
The Church speaks of atmosphere because students are formed not only by what teachers say but also by what they experience. A classroom teaches through its habits, relationships, and surroundings and should communicate a truly Catholic ethos.
“An awareness of Mary’s presence can be a great help toward making the school into a “home “. Mary, Mother and Teacher of the Church, accompanied her Son as he grew in wisdom and grace; from its earliest days, she has accompanied the Church in its mission of salvation.” – The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School, 29
Our classroom welcomes more than the students in the seats – we have a great cloud of witnesses we can call upon and welcome into our classroom space.
Reflection questions:
- Does my classroom feel like a place where students belong?
- Does the physical arrangement support relationships and invite a community of learning?
- Does my classroom help students grow their relationship with the Blessed Mother and the Saints?
- Are there opportunities for students to experience important feast days as those of celebration?
Practical applications:
- Create gathering spaces for prayer, discussion, and shared learning
- Use rugs, comfortable seating, or reading areas where possible
- Choose a patron saint for your classroom, or for each student
- Have an image of Our Lady located in a place of prominence
- Include artwork of the Saints, and pray to them
INTENTIONALITY
The Saint Jerome Education Plan speaks of the importance of intentionality in a school setting. It says:
“Immediately it becomes clear that no aspect of a school’s life is truly ‘extra-curricular’ or falls outside of its core mission of education, because every aspect of its life—from the way the school prays, to the dress code of students and staff, the arrangement of furniture in the classroom, the paint and posters on the wall, the activities during recess, the way technology is used, and the songs the children sing—reflects the school’s judgments and priorities about the meaning of its educational mission.” –St. Jerome Education Plan
As teachers, we must consider all aspects of our classroom environment and ensure that every item within the walls of our shared space serves its given purpose well.
MATERIALS: BRINGING CREATION INTO THE CLASSROOM
Pope Francis writes in Laudato Si’ that learning to appreciate the beauty of the natural world is part of human formation. Dr. Maria Montessori also discovered, through her study of children, that students learn best by touching and feeling the real world. A classroom plant, a seasonal display, or a moment of attention to creation can help students recognize the goodness of the world God has made.
Reflection questions:
- Does my classroom help students experience creation as a gift?
- Are there opportunities for students to practice care and responsibility?
Practical applications:
- Use natural materials over man-made ones whenever possible
- Incorporate flowers or other seasonal objects
- Consider warm lighting or natural light
- Include live plants that students help maintain
FORMING THE IMAGINATION: THE CLASSROOM LIBRARY AS A PLACE OF WISDOM
A Catholic classroom library is not simply a collection of books. It is a place where students encounter ideas, stories, and examples of virtue that shape the imagination.
Reflection questions:
- Do the books in my classroom inspire students toward virtue?
- Do students encounter stories that expand their imagination and deepen their understanding of humanity?
Practical applications:
Include:
- great literature;
- poetry;
- classic fairytales and fables;
- biographies of saints and heroic figures;
- beautifully illustrated books;
- stories of virtue;
- books about creation, history, and the Catholic faith.
Create a library space that invites students to encounter courage, friendship, sacrifice, beauty, and wisdom and, at the same time, remove from your classroom library books which are not rich in these tenets. For more on good books to choose for classroom libraries, please see ICLE’s Scribe & Sage webinar and resource list.
ORDER
A Catholic classroom needs physical order, clean spaces and neat desks, alongside spiritual order, prayer routines, sacred art, and a peaceful, respectful attitude. This does not mean that every surface must contain religious images or decorations. Rather, the environment should communicate that learning takes place within a larger story: the story of creation, redemption, and humanity’s search for truth.
A student entering a Catholic classroom should sense that this is a place where the whole person matters—mind, heart, imagination, and soul.
Reflection questions for teachers:
- Does my classroom communicate that Christ is at the center of learning?
- Would a visitor immediately recognize that this is a Catholic learning environment?
- Does the room encourage students to see learning as connected to God’s creation?
Practical applications:
- Place a crucifix in a prominent location
- Create a prayer space that changes with the liturgical year
- Display Scripture, sacred art, and images of saints
- Remove decorations that distract from the room’s purpose and identity
- Keep materials organized so students experience peace and order
CONCLUSION
Catholic teachers are not merely arranging furniture or decorating walls. They are preparing an environment that participates in the Church’s mission of education.
A live plant, a carefully chosen image of a saint, a warm reading corner, an intentional library, a prayer space prepared for the liturgical season, and beautifully displayed student work all communicate the same message: This is a place where truth is sought, beauty is cherished, relationships matter, and every person is created for communion with God.
“But students can be made to feel “at home” even when the surroundings are modest, if the climate is humanly and spiritually rich.” – The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School, 28
For an excellent resource to reflect on when setting up your classroom space, please see the “Questions to Consider” from the St. Jerome Education Plan (pg. 108).
- Is this a warm and inviting atmosphere?
- Does the room evoke peace? Does it inspire?
- What does the arrangement of the furniture say about the classroom?
- Are the walls decorated thoughtfully? Are they crowded or too sparse?
- Are the objects and pictures on display ones that I would enjoy gazing at? Are they beautiful? Do they have unity, harmony, and proportion? Are they radiant? Are works from master artists included?
- Have I brought elements of the natural world into my classroom?
- Are there images of the Catholic faith? A crucifix that is centrally placed? Images of the Church, Mary, and the saints?
- Is the room neat, orderly, and clean? Do I make an effort to keep it tidy and clutter-free?
- Is there student work on display? Is it presented in an organized and professional manner? Is it a selection of superior work?