The Catholic School Advantage

Parents who send their children to Catholic school often cite safety and values as motivation for their choice. These two vital considerations are a huge part of the benefits students of Catholic schools receive, but they represent only a portion of what researchers call the Catholic School Advantage:

• 98% of low income, minority children graduate from high schools, compared to only 66% of all students in public schools.
• Hispanic and African American Students who attend Catholic schools are 42% more likely to graduate from high school and 2.5 times more likely to graduate college.
• 81% of students who graduate from Catholic schools attend college, compared to 44% of students in public schools.
• Students who attend Catholic schools are more likely to attend church and remain active Catholics as adults.
• Catholic school students are also more tolerant of diverse views, more likely to vote, more likely to be civically engaged, and earn higher wages than their public school peers.

The gifts of Catholic schools are not limited to those who attend them; they are a blessing to our nation, forming active and self-giving citizens, while lowering costs for public schools -- by educatiing 2.2 million children, Catholic schools save the nation $20 billion annually.

The Catholic School Advantage is especially pronounced for low-income and minority students.  Yet, the very students most in need of an effective intervention, who would most benefit from a Catholic education, are usually also those who have the least access to this unique, life-changing opportunity.

NDAA is committed to giving as many children as possible the opportunity to experience the Catholic School Advantage.  

Read more about the Catholic School Advantage and the University of Notre Dame's efforts to extend it to more children.