The key to the academic success enjoyed by Catholic school students is the high expectations we set for every student. In specific subject areas—reading, language, mathematics, science and social studies—Catholic school students routinely score above the national average on standardized tests. Research also shows that Catholic school students have better writing skills because of a greater emphasis on homework and study.
At Catholic schools, educators and families have a shared vision that creates a community centered on nurturing the unique talents of each student. Strong partnerships between Catholic schools and families can yield very tangible benefits. Sacred Heart School’s Class of 2017, for instance, received more than $147,560 in academic scholarships to highly-competitive high schools including Saint Peter’s Prep, Lacordaire Academy, Xavier High School, Seton Hall Prep, Immaculate Conception High School, Saint Joseph Regional High School, Saint Dominic Academy and Saint Mary’s High School.
With a deep commitment to developing the whole person, Catholic schools offer many extracurricular programs that emphasize the arts, academics, athletics, leadership, service and much more. Students who are involved in extracurricular activities have higher average GPAs, standardized test scores, graduation rates and college acceptance rates than those who aren’t.
A firm moral foundation guides youngsters navigating through the rough seas of growing up today, and provides a framework for good decision-making into adulthood. In Catholic schools, students are challenged to improve the world by sharing Gospel values and living Christ’s message of salvation through love and forgiveness. Catholic schools are recognized for producing graduates who are more civically engaged, tolerant of diverse views and have a strong commitment to service, several studies show.
It’s a well-known fact that Catholic school students go on to attend college at higher rates than their public school counterparts. In the Archdiocese of Newark, 98% of Catholic high school graduates enroll in college. Nationally, Latino and African-American students who attend Catholic schools are more likely to graduate from high school—and college—than public school peers. In fact, Catholic school graduates earn nearly 14% more annually than those who attended public schools, according to a study by The Regional Economist.