“Others, Please Specify”: The Lived Experiences of Non-Catholic Senior High School Students Studying in a Catholic School

“Others, please specify” is a common option in demographic questions, like when asking respondents’ religious affiliation, that provides them “a text box to self-identify.” This study focused on the said context as it indicated the minority status of non-Catholic students in a predominantly Catholic school and underscored the distinct lived experiences of these students. The relatively small representation of non-Catholic senior high school students studying in Catholic schools piqued curiosity and prompted the need for a deeper examination of their lived experiences. This study aspired to contribute to the development of religious studies in the Philippines, particularly for non-Catholic students and their stay in Catholic schools. This research utilized a narrative case study approach to investigate the lived experiences of Catholic schools’ students in a Catholic setting. Online interviews were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings emphasized the importance of promoting diversity and inclusivity in a Catholic school setting; the social and emotional well-being of non-Catholic students had a negative impact by the implementation of mandatory Catholic practices, which resulted in the notion of exclusion; these students had to rely on online resources and peer support to address academic problems. The research underscored the necessity of enhanced inclusive practices in Catholic institutions to improve the academic, social, and emotional well-being of all students. It also highlighted the absence of dedicated support for non-Catholic students and their conflicting attitudes toward Catholicism.