In recent years, Catholic schools across the nation have witnessed a heartening trend – increased enrollment.
This holds true for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. A new report from the Archdiocese’s Catholic Schools Office notes that for the first time in over 20 years, the Archdiocese experienced two consecutive years of positive enrollment growth. And preliminary enrollment numbers show schools on track to experience a third consecutive year of positive growth this year.
“Parents want their children to get the best possible education and feel that Catholic schools are the best option,” says Vincent Anch, CEF Executive Director. “Parents also want their children to grow in their faith and want to put their children in safe and nurturing environments."
"Catholic schools meet these needs while also helping to build strong families and strong communities.” - Vincent Anch, CEF Executive Director
Additionally, earlier this year, data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed that learning outcomes for Catholic school students remained high compared to their public school peers coming out of the pandemic. Unlike their peers, Catholic school students had steady or increased scores in math and reading and the highest scores in the nation on all four NAEP tests. Additionally, Catholic schools ranked first in 8th-grade reading for students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunches.
As the enrollment numbers continue to climb, so does the need for assistance - particularly among low-income families. More than 330 new students are waiting on scholarships for the 2023-24 school year. Support from the Catholic Education Foundation, helps Catholic schools meet the increased need for tuition assistance and welcome new students into their caring, faith-filled learning environments.
Give the Gift of Catholic Education
You can help our communities’ most vulnerable students access the safe, supportive classrooms at our K-12 Catholic schools where they can thrive and develop a relationship with Christ. Make a gift at cefks.org today!
