What is the Catholic Advantage?

Research conducted throughout the past 50 years shows the success of Catholic schools in every way: spiritually, academically and communally. The graduates of Catholic schools have been, are and will be the leaders in our churches and society. Our academic strength is unassailable…in morals, test scores, and achievements. Catholic school graduates have a greater fidelity to Sunday mass, have a keener sense of prayer, maintain pro-life attitudes, have a higher consideration for religious vocation, and support their local church and community both financially and through service projects to a higher degree than non-Catholic school students. Catholic school students make good citizens who are deeply committed to social justice, and who care for the poor and our planet.

A Catholic education is different than other learning experiences because Catholic Schools educate to develop the whole child. The educational process engages the human, mental, physical, social and spiritual aspects of the child. Children are gifts from God to be celebrated and encouraged to grow. We think highly of our students and believe they are the brightest hopes and dreams for the future of our Church.

Excellence in academics is the hallmark of a Catholic education. With a low student to teacher ratio, we provide a personalized and relevant educational experience. Routinely surpassing public schools in state- and national-level academic benchmarks, Catholic Schools encourage critical thinking, practical application, and creative problem-solving.¹

In addition to academics, a Catholic education stresses the importance of community and service. When there is a culture of community combined with the educational process, children not only feel more positive but are also more confident in their ability to excel personally and professionally. In fact, studies show that teacher commitment, student engagement, and student achievement are higher in Catholic Schools because we operate as communities rather than bureaucracies.²

Above all, a Catholic education forms compassionate leaders who are prepared to rise up to the challenges of an ever-changing world. Graduates of Catholic Schools have solid academic foundations, spiritual fortitude and strong moral convictions. Guided by God’s grace, we give students the tools they need to shape their futures and to become their best selves.

1 Coleman, J., Hoffman, T., & Kilgore, S. (1982). High School Achievement: Catholic and Public Schools Compared. NY: Basic Books; Sander, W. (1996).Catholic Schools: Private and Social Effects. Boston: Kluwer Academic.

2 Marks, G. (2009). Accounting for school-sector differences in university entrance performance. Australian Journal of Education, 53, 19-38.