<p>I'm not sure how to approach this subject directly with the schools, so maybe someone here is familiar with them. </p>
<p>Just how religious are Assumption, Merrimack, Manhattan and Sacred Heart?</p>
<p>Are you required to take religion classes?</p>
<p>Most Catholic schools do require at least one religion course, but usually they are pretty flexible about what that means (i.e., you could take a class in Buddhist thought and satisfy the requirement). You need to check with each school about what their general education requirements entail to be sure though (you can do a search at each website to find this - here's Assumption's foundation program that all students must complete: <a href="http://www.assumption.edu/programs/foundationsprogram/%5B/url%5D">http://www.assumption.edu/programs/foundationsprogram/</a> You can find the same type of information easily on all of the other websites.)</p>
<p>There will be no requirements for attending religious services at any of these schools, and you will also find many students who do not attend church or consider themselves particularly religious. There will, however, be many who do. There may also be rules and regulations, specifially related to the dorms, that you may have to abide by (do a search for "student handbook" to see what they might be at each school). But, overall, I think someone who is not particularly religious, but has a tolerance for and respect of those who are, would find all of these schools welcoming and not overly religious in the sense of trying to force you into being religious yourself. You will, however, still be exposed to many elements of religion and religious practice, so if that makes you uncomfortable at all, best to find a non-sectarian school.</p>
<p>Thanks, Carolyn. That's about what I figured. I was trying to find that information, but wasn't sure what it was listed under.</p>
<p>They don't make it easy to find. Search for general education requirements, graduation requirements, distribution requirements, and core requirements. You'll find it with one of those.</p>
<p>By the way, my daughter is very non-religious and attends a Catholic high school. She has enjoyed her experience very much (even the required religion classes) because she feels there is a very strong sense of community becausethe underlying religious mission stresses respect of others. She's looking for a different experience for college, but I know that our school (in Calif.) has sent students to all of the schools you mentioned and our GC's think well of them. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>