52 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • JANUARY 2022
CATHOLIC SCHOOL GUIDE
INFORMATION TO HELP YOU DECIDE
THE POPULAR CHOICE
Education is a personal decision for
every family. Families have many
education options to choose from, and
that includes private institutions.
Catholic schools still present a viable
education option for students in the
21st century. Each year during National
Catholic Schools Week, which is the last
week of January, the country celebrates
Catholic education. It’s also a time when
many Catholic institutions host open
houses and sponsor recruitment campaigns
for the upcoming school year.
CSW is now entering its 48th year, and
2022 events will include special masses,
assemblies and other activities for
students, families and parishioners,
according to the National Catholic Educational
Association. With CSW on
the horizon, consider these points of
interest about Catholic education.
The National Catholic Educational Association
says academic excellence is a
hallmark of Catholic education, but it is
directed in a way to foster the growth of
the whole person’s mind, body and spirit.
Service is fundamental to Catholic
education and is a core teaching of the
Catholic faith. Students enrolled in a
Catholic school can expect to participate
in service projects.
Many people are drawn to Catholic
schools because of the smaller, more
intimate campuses and class sizes.
NCEA indicates the average student/
teacher ratio in Catholic schools is 13:1.
Statistics for the 2018-2019 school year
indicated there were 6,289 Catholic
schools operating across the country.
Catholic schools enjoy diverse populations
and have a history of welcoming
and supporting lower-income students.
The NCEA says the Hispanic/
Latino population accounted for 20.7
percent of Catholic school populations
in 2017.
While many of the students enrolled in
Catholic parochial schools are practicing
Catholics, it is not necessary to be
Catholic, or even Christian, to attend.
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When considering private education,
families may consider Catholic schools.
Thirty-six percent of private school students
were enrolled in Catholic schools
as of fall 2015, according to the National
Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
The first Catholic parochial school
opened in Philadelphia in 1783 and
was called St. Mary’s School. Interest
in Catholic education soon started
to grow, especially during the late
19th century, when the United States
welcomed an influx of Catholic immigrants.
By 1920, 6,551 Catholic elementary
schools enrolled 1.8 million
students taught by 42,000 teachers,
according to Catholic Schools Center
of Excellence (CSCOE). Enrollment
reached an all-time high of 4.5 million
students by the mid-1960s.
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Thirty-six percent of private school
students were enrolled in Catholic
schools as of fall 2015.
Catholic schools require a signifi cant
fi nancial commitment. Niche, the school
comparison and rating company, and
the NCEA indicate the average cost of
Catholic elementary schools in the U.S.
is $4,400 per year, while Catholic high
schools cost around $9,840 annually.
However, many families feel the cost is
well worth it because of the education
students receive at Catholic schools.
—Metro Creative Connection
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