Catholic Schools Get Congressional Shout-Out for 51st National Catholic Schools Week

This bill gives a nod to Catholic schools across the country, highlighting their role in education and community service. It officially recognizes "National Catholic Schools Week" from January 26 to February 1, 2025, themed "Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community."

Classrooms and Communities

The bill points out that Catholic schools are educating around 1.7 million students nationwide. It calls out some interesting stats from the 2024-2025 National Catholic Education Association survey. For example, about 20.5% of students are racial minorities, 15.5% are Hispanic, and 21.8% come from non-Catholic families. The bill also notes a 10:1 student-teacher ratio.

Real-World Graduation Rates

The legislation highlights that 98.9% of students in these schools graduate. It further notes that 85.2% of those graduates go on to 4-year colleges. Think about a local high school – that's a significant number of students heading to higher education. For families prioritizing college prep, this is a key figure.

Looking Ahead

This recognition underscores the role these schools play, not just in education, but in fostering community values. It supports the commitment of Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers to academic excellence and their role in securing a brighter future. It also applauds the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for picking the unifying theme. While it doesn't change any laws or funding, it's a formal acknowledgment of the impact these institutions have across the country.