When a small group of parents began Crossland Latin School in Baltimore six years ago, they saw clearly the parallels of their action to that of George Calvert when he founded the colony of Maryland.

The first Lord Baltimore and his band of settlers wanted to live where they would be free to practice their Catholic faith without restraint.

The parents had children in a Catholic school system where, unhappily, Catholicism was not being taught as it had been in prior years.

Beginning a new colony in a strange land far across a perilous sea required courage, sacrifice, and a mighty leap of faith.

So did beginning a new, independent Catholic school.

So the parents named the school Crossland; George Calvert's mother, Alicia Crossland, a devout Catholic, had urged him to seek religious freedom in the New World. And they incorporated the red-and-white bottony cross of the Crossland family coat of arms (present in the Maryland state seal and flag) in the school's crest.

The word 'Latin' in the school's name denotes the school's emphasis on a classical education and academic exellence. 'We have the best of both worlds,' says Crossland's principal, Denise Loehr; 'at Crossland, you have an outstanding religious curriculum and a great academic curriculum.'

The Catholic faith, central to the Crossland curriculum, is taught using the acclaimed Faith and Life series published by Catholics United for the Faith, the Baltimore Catechism and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 'You see children who are learning the right things about God and the truths about their faith, and they actually live it,' said Mrs. Loehr. 'You have teachers and a school board who are very concerned about developing good Catholics. We try to set a good example, and we expect the children to follow.'

The academic curriculum is fashioned after that of Baltimore's Calvert School, a private, nonsectarian school locally renowned for its emphasis on rigorous academics.

Phonics, grammar and composition are stressed. Students read the classics of children's literature. Instruction in Latin, beginning in the fourth grade, reinforces their knowledge of grammatical structures. They receive a thorough grounding in history and geography, science and the arts.

One thing that is not taught is sex education. 'I believe sex education belongs at home with the parents,' say Mrs. Loehr. 'They know their child, and they know when is the proper time.'

Crossland was the vision of Betsy Lombardi. She and her husband John joined with Bernie Collins, Anne Collins and Maidie Podles to form a school board.

After two years of planning and preparation, the school began with a dozen children and one teacher in the basement of Waltherknoll, a home for elderly people on Walther Boulevard. Two years later it moved to its present location on Norman Avenue. Enrollment grew to 26 students, then reduced due to graduations and movings.

Mrs. Loehr joined the Crossland faculty in the school's second year. In addition to her duties as principal, she teaches the lower grades. Sharon Booth, who came to Crossland last year, teaches grades 4 through 8. Renee Tinsley, Denise's sister, works as a full-time aide, running the office and assisting in teaching.

Both Denise and Sharon have been active pro-lifers. Sharon worked as a counselor at Pregnancy Center North for many years. She also employed her knowledge as a registered nurse to teach parental skills to the center's clients for 8 years.

Denise, active in pro-life work since she was 22, was pro-life coordinator at Our Lady of Fatima parish, and has done lobbying, counseling, hotline work, and volunteer training. She credits the informal networking among dedicated pro-lifers with leading her to Crossland. 'I met so many wonderful Catholics in the pro-life movement! Mary Nooney was the one who told me about Crossland,' she recalls. Denise, in turn, told Sharon about the school.

Crossland tuition is comparable to area Catholic grade school tuitions. A family rate is offered for two or more children. 'We hope the school is really going to grow,' says Mrs. Loehr. 'We know what we're doing is an apostolate. Maybe the students that pass through our school will help get the church back in shape--lead it in the right direction.'

Crossland has had its share of obstacles and difficulties. But whether the problem was finances or finding teachers, says Denise, God provides. 'I do believe this is God's work,' she says. 'His hand is on my shoulder.'