Catholic schools have been a beacon of light to this nation, from their earliest days that preceded the nation’s founding by more than 150 years.

Catholic schools:

  • Understand that education is a formative process, centered on Jesus Christ the Teacher, and ordered to the cultivation of wisdom and virtue, which leads to human flourishing.
  • Proclaim that truth, goodness, and beauty form the soul, are worthy in their own right, and are meant for everyone.
  • Embrace the Church’s understanding of the inherent dignity of the human person, recognizing that all are made in God’s image and all share a common destiny with Him.
  • Recognize that parents are the primary educators of their children, and seek to form a partnership that best serves the needs of children and families.
  • Foster communion and community, echoing the Gospel call to gather all nations in Christ, and thus are animated by a sense of compassionate service to all.
  • Provide a ladder to the poor, the immigrant, and the marginalized, in accord with a centuries-old tradition of lifting many from poverty to a more prosperous life. The poorer and more at-risk a student is, the greater the relative achievement gains in Catholic schools.  A black or Latino child is 42% more likely to graduate from high school and two-and-a-half times more likely to graduate from college if he or she attends a Catholic school.
  • Recognize that academic excellence is the birthright of children and seek to provide a rich and challenging education to all students.

Catholic School Data Reference Materials

Church Documents on Christian Education