For the second year in a row, Catholic school enrollment across the nation has grown. The trend began with a 3.8 percent increase in 2021-2022, on the heels of the pandemic, and rose again by 0.3 percent in 2022-2023 to 1,693,493 students in 5,920 schools. This growth shows that parents are actively choosing Catholic schools for their children amidst a variety of educational opportunities. It also benefits the nation, as Catholic schools provide at least $23.4 billion a year in savings to taxpayers.
The merits of Catholic schools are evident in national test scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a high school graduation rate of 98.9 percent, and a four-year college attendance rate of 85.2 percent.
Catholic schools are increasingly educating a diverse population. Some 23.1 percent of students are racial minorities: 19.3 percent are Hispanic/Latino, 22 percent are of other faiths and 6.9 percent have special needs. Catholic schools have expanded offerings in recent years to meet more family needs, with 99 schools having International Baccalaureate programs, 125 having dual immersion programs, the opening of seven virtual schools, and enrolling more than 5,000 international students.
Across the nation, Catholic school Pre-Kindergarten enrollment for 2022-2023 is 1 percent higher than before the pandemic. In addition, 60 of the 175 Catholic school dioceses saw an increase of 1 percent or greater in enrollment since 2019-2020. Matching the migration trends of the U.S. population, Catholic schools in the Southeast region also now enroll 1.7 percent more students than before the pandemic. Waiting lists exist in 39.2 percent of schools, eight new schools opened this year, and 44 Catholic schools closed or merged, the fewest closures in two decades.
As an NCEA membership benefit, the Data Brief: 2022 - 2023 Catholic School Enrollment (http://bitly.ws/A4TU) is available online, as is the online version of the Annual Statistical Report on Schools, Enrollment and Staffing (http://bitly.ws/A4UF). The Data Brief is a great indication of how our schools are thriving and can be shared with your school community!
Almost three years after the start of the COVID-19 health crisis, Catholic schools have continued the legacy that has characterized Catholic education: academic excellence, a strong partnership with parents, a sense of community and a faith-filled education for students nationwide.
Catholic schools are a bright spot in education today, reflected in the enrollment shifting from decline to resurgence, proving Catholic school education is strong and getting stronger.
Annie Smith is the NCEA Vice President of Research and Data.
Annie Smithasmith@ncea.org