Research shows that:
Catholic schools are good for the community.
- Catholic schools tend to operate as communities rather than bureaucracies, which links to higher levels of teacher commitment, student engagement, and student achievement (Marks, 2009).
- The Catholic school climate, mission, and purpose positively impact student achievement and attendance (Bryk, Lee, & Holland, 1993).
- A faith-based orientation builds coherence and integration of schools and school community (Bryk, Lee, & Holland, 1993).
Catholic Schools help students achieve academically.
- In Catholic schools, the student achievement gap is smaller than in public schools(Jeynes, 2007; Marks & Lee, 1989)
- In Catholic schools, overall academic achievement is higher (Coleman, Hoffer, & Kilgore, 1982; Sander, 1996).
- In Catholic schools, student math scores improve between sophomore and senior years (Carbonaro, & Covay, 2010).
- Latino and African American students in Catholic schools are more likely to graduate from high school and college (Grogger & Neal, 2000).
- Students with multiple disadvantages benefit most from Catholic schools (Greeley, 1982; Evans & Schwab, 1995; Neal, 1997).
- The poorer and more at-risk a student is, the greater the relative achievement gains in Catholic schools (York, 1996).
- More research on student achievement from Catholic Education: a Journal of Inquiry and Practice
Catholic schools help build a better society.
- Graduates of Catholic high schools are more likely to vote (Dee, 2005).
- Graduates of Catholic high schools are more likely to earn higher wages (Neal, 1997).
- Catholic schools tend to produce graduates who are more civically engaged, more tolerant of diverse views, and more committed to service as adults (Campbell, 2001; Wolf, Greene, Kleitz, & Thalhammer, 2001).
- When a Catholic school closes, neighborhood disorder increases (Brinig, Garnett, 2009).