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Catholic School Data
United States Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools 2008-2009
The Annual Statistical Report on Schools, Enrollment and Staffing
Dale McDonald, PBVM, Ph.D.
Margaret M. Schultz
Executive Summary
This annual report presents national data on Catholic elementary and secondary schools. Enrollment patterns, regional geographic trends, types and locations of schools, student and staffing demographic characteristics and student participation in selected education programs are reported. Where data permit, the exhibits compare information across the last decade as well as the past five years.
Highlights
Enrollment:
• Total Catholic school student enrollment for the current academic year is 2,192,531.
1,568,016 elementary/middle school; 624,515 secondary school
• Minority student enrollment is 643,173 which is 29.3% of the total enrollment.
• Non-Catholic enrollment is 325,835 which is 14.9% of the total enrollment.
Schools:
• There are 7,248 Catholic schools: 6,028 elementary; 1,220 secondary.
• 31 new schools opened; 162 consolidated or closed.
• 2,114 schools have a waiting list for admission.
The student/teacher ratio is 14:1.
Professional Staff:
· Full-time equivalent professional staff numbered 157,615:
96.0%: Laity (Lay women: 74.5% Lay men: 21.5%)
4.0%: Religious/Clergy ( Sisters: 2.8%; Brothers: 0.6%; Clergy: 0.6%)
Regional Distribution
Exhibit 9 presents the number of schools within each of the regions with the percentages of the distribution. Approximately half of all the schools (48.8%) are located within the Mideast and Great Lakes regions.
EXHIBIT 9
Regional Distribution of Catholic Schools
1998-1999 2003-2004 2008-2009
|
Totals of all Schools
|
Number
|
%
|
Number
|
%
|
Number
|
%
|
|
New England
|
553
|
6.7
|
533
|
6.7
|
464
|
6.4
|
|
Mideast
|
2,228
|
27.1
|
2,096
|
26.3
|
1,787
|
24.7
|
|
Great Lakes
|
2,060
|
25.1
|
1,940
|
24.4
|
1,729
|
23.8
|
|
Plains
|
937
|
11.4
|
916
|
11.5
|
865
|
11.9
|
|
Southeast
|
987
|
12.0
|
1,017
|
12.8
|
963
|
13.3
|
|
West/Far West
|
1,452
|
17.7
|
1,453
|
18.3
|
1,440
|
19.9
|
|
United States
|
8,217
|
100.0
|
7,955
|
100.0
|
7,248
|
100.0
|
Location of Schools
Although there has been a decrease in the total number of Catholic schools in the past 35 years, the church has not lost sight of its commitment to educate children, particularly those of the poor, within the inner cities and urban areas. Schools in these areas remain a significant presence: 42.7 % of all Catholic schools are located in urban and inner city areas, despite population losses and great financial difficulties in maintaining them. During that same period of time, suburban schools increased as a percentage of the total. Rural schools continue to experience declines.
EXHIBIT 10
Location of Schools
Elementary/Middle Secondary National Totals
|
|
Number
|
%
|
Number
|
%
|
Number
|
%
|
|
Urban
|
1,768
|
29.3
|
484
|
39.7
|
2,252
|
31.1
|
|
Inner-City
|
739
|
12.3
|
105
|
8.6
|
844
|
11.6
|
|
Suburban
|
2,179
|
36.1
|
450
|
36.9
|
2,629
|
36.3
|
|
Rural
|
1,342
|
22.3
|
181
|
14.8
|
1,523
|
21.0
|
|
Total
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6,028
|
100.0
|
1,220
|
100.0
|
7,248
|
100.0
|
Single Gender Schools
The 2008-2009 data indicate that one percent of all Catholic elementary schools are single gender and 32.6 % of secondary are single gender. Exhibit 13 illustrates their distribution.
EXHIBIT 13
Single Gender Schools
Number %
Elementary/Middle 63 1.0% of elementary schools
Secondary 398 32.6% of secondary schools
Total Single Gender 461 6.4% of all schools
Enrollment
Enrollment by Grade Level
EXHIBIT 15
Enrollment by Grade Level
1998-1999 2003-2004 2008-2009
All Schools Number % Number % Number %
|
Preschool
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152,356
|
7.5
|
150,422
|
8.1
|
153,325
|
9.7
|
|
Kindergarten
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217,508
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10.7
|
190,582
|
10.3
|
157,692
|
9.9
|
|
Grade 1
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227,250
|
11.2
|
193,149
|
10.3
|
155,624
|
9.8
|
|
Grade 2
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222,875
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11.0
|
193,564
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10.4
|
157,346
|
9.9
|
|
Grade 3
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219,504
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10.8
|
194,157
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10.4
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158,247
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10.0
|
|
Grade 4
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211,042
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10.4
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190,584
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10.2
|
157,542
|
9.9
|
|
Grade 5
|
202,555
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10.0
|
188,601
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10.1
|
158,637
|
10.0
|
|
Grade 6
|
198,919
|
9.8
|
189,476
|
10.2
|
162,307
|
10.2
|
|
Grade 7
|
189,769
|
9.4
|
183,724
|
10.0
|
159,705
|
10.1
|
|
Grade 8
|
183,991
|
9.1
|
182,064
|
9.8
|
165,007
|
10.4
|
|
Ungraded
|
2,798
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0.1
|
2,600
|
0.1
|
2,842
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0.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Total Preschool - 8
|
2,028,567
|
100.0
|
1,858,923
|
100.0
|
1,588,274
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100.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grade 9
|
169,388
|
27.3
|
168,278
|
26.9
|
157,804
|
26.1
|
|
Grade 10
|
158,583
|
25.6
|
159,580
|
25.5
|
153,736
|
25.4
|
|
Grade 11
|
148,933
|
24.0
|
151,185
|
24.1
|
150,231
|
24.9
|
|
Grade 12
|
142,233
|
22.9
|
145,277
|
23.2
|
141,216
|
23.4
|
|
Ungraded
|
1,140
|
0.2
|
1,009
|
0.2
|
1,270
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Total 9 - 12
|
620,277
|
100.0
|
625,329
|
100.0
|
604,257
|
100.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GRAND TOTAL
|
2,648,844
|
100.0
|
2,484,252
|
100.0
|
2,192,531
|
100.0
|
* NB: Because some elementary schools have a ninth grade and some secondary schools have grades 6-8 in their totals, this distribution does not match that in Exhibits 16 and 26.
Enrollment by Region
The national enrollment data, charted by region in Exhibit 16, show that the Mideast and Great Lakes regions enroll about half the Catholic school population (48.6%). This percentage does indicate a decline from 53.6% over the past decade. While the Southeast and West/Far West regions have experienced increases and declines in that same time period, they constitute a growing percentage of the national enrollment over the past decade, increasing from 30.7% to 35.2%.
EXHIBIT 16
Enrollment by Region
1998-99 2003-2004 2008-2009
|
All Schools
|
Number
|
%
|
Number
|
%
|
Number
|
%
|
|
New England
|
164,930
|
6.2
|
157,091
|
6.3
|
132,334
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6.0
|
|
Mideast
|
772,432
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29.2
|
700,417
|
28.2
|
568,731
|
25.9
|
|
Great Lakes
|
645,096
|
24.4
|
573,039
|
23.1
|
496,870
|
22.7
|
|
Plains
|
252,099
|
9.5
|
241,625
|
9.7
|
223,325
|
10.2
|
|
Southeast
|
353,301
|
13.3
|
358,259
|
14.4
|
337,095
|
15.4
|
|
West/Far West
|
460,986
|
17.4
|
453,821
|
18.3
|
434,176
|
19.8
|
|
United States
|
2,648,844
|
100.0
|
2,484,252
|
100.0
|
2,192,531
|
100.0
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Catholic School Trend Data
U. S. Catholic school enrollment reached its peak during the early 1960s when there were more than 5.2 million students in almost thirteen thousand schools across the nation. The 1970s and 1980s saw a steep decline in both the number of schools and students. By 1990, there were approximately 2.5 million students in 8,719 schools. From the mid 1990s though 2000, there was a steady enrollment increase (1.3%) despite continued closings of schools.
Between the 2000 and the 2009 school years, there were 1,429 schools that closed (17.5%). The number of students declined by 460,507 (17.4 %). The most seriously impacted have been elementary schools.
Exhibit 20 details the reported school closures, and illustrates that the elementary schools in the twelve large urban areas of the country have been the most affected, with a loss of 18.8% of schools since 2003.
Exhibit 22 presents the national and elementary enrollment trend data. Since 2000, elementary school enrollment has declined by 29.6% in the 12 urban dioceses and 18.2% in the rest of the U.S.
Exhibits 20 & 22 are available in the full report, which can be ordered online. Click here to go to the NCEA Online Store.
Tuition fees paid by families constitute a portion of the actual per pupil expenses. The average per pupil tuition in elementary schools is $3,159 which is approximately 53.8% of actual costs per pupil of $5,870. About 93% of elementary schools provide some form of tuition assistance.
The secondary median freshman tuition is $8,182which is approximately 80.0% of actual costs per pupil of $10,228. About 97% of secondary schools provide some form of tuition assistance.
The difference between the per pupil cost and the tuition charged is obtained in many ways, primarily through direct subsidy from parish, diocesan or religious congregation resources and from multi-faceted development programs and fund-raising activities.
EXHIBIT 24
Average Tuition and Per Pupil Costs
Elementary
Mean parish school tuition: $3,159. Per pupil cost: $5,870.
Secondary
Mean freshman tuition: $8,182 Per pupil cost: $10,228
The average public school per pupil cost of $9,138, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics, includes both elementary and secondary schools. (On average, secondary school costs are higher than elementary, but are not reported separately.)
Based on the public school cost, Catholic schools provide a 20 billion dollars a year savings for the nation.
The percentage of minorities in Catholic schools has increased significantly in the past 39 years. In 1970, minorities accounted for 10.8% of the Catholic school population, in 1980 it had increased to 19.4% and in 2009 it is at 29.3%. Minority enrollment patterns are: Hispanic, 12.6 %; African American, 7.6%; Asian American, 4.4%; Multiracial, 3.5%.
EXHIBIT 26
Catholic School Enrollment and Percentages by Ethnic Background
Elementary/Middle Secondary All Schools
|
National
|
Number
|
%
|
|
Number
|
%
|
|
Number
|
%
|
|
American Indian/
Native Alaskan
|
6,372
|
0.4%
|
|
2,235
|
0.4%
|
|
8,607
|
0.4%
|
|
Asian
|
71,240
|
4.5%
|
|
25,886
|
4.1%
|
|
97,126
|
4.4%
|
|
Black
|
114,837
|
7.3%
|
|
52,210
|
8.4%
|
|
167,047
|
7.6%
|
|
Hispanic
|
202,226
|
12.9%
|
|
73,189
|
11.7%
|
|
275,415
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12.6%
|
|
Native Hawaiian/
Pacific Islander
|
13,122
|
0.8%
|
|
5,209
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0.8%
|
|
18,331
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0.8%
|
|
Multiracial
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56,797
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3.6%
|
|
19,850
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3.2%
|
|
76,647
|
3.5%
|
|
White
|
1,098,357
|
70.0%
|
|
435,692
|
69.8%
|
|
1,534,049
|
70.0%
|
|
Unknown
|
5,065
|
0.3%
|
|
10,244
|
1.6%
|
|
15,309
|
0.7%
|
|
Total
|
1,568,016
|
100.0%
|
|
624,515
|
100.0%
|
|
2,192,531
|
100.0%
|
Enrollment of Non-Catholics
Most Catholic school students are Catholic. However, non-Catholic student enrollment has risen from 2.7% in 1970 to 11.2% a decade later and today is 14.9% as shown in Exhibit 27.
EXHIBIT 27
Non-Catholic Enrollment
Elementary/Middle Secondary All Schools
|
Number
|
% in Region
|
Number
|
% in Region
|
Number
|
% in Region
|
|
New England
|
13,114
|
15.0%
|
7,931
|
17.6%
|
21,045
|
15.9%
|
|
Mideast
|
62,664
|
16.1%
|
32,561
|
18.2%
|
95,225
|
16.7%
|
|
Great Lakes
|
41,373
|
11.2%
|
20,212
|
16.1%
|
61,585
|
12.4%
|
|
Plains
|
23,265
|
13.8%
|
5,806
|
10.5%
|
29,071
|
13.0%
|
|
Southeast
|
33,192
|
13.5%
|
17,696
|
19.3%
|
50,888
|
15.1%
|
|
West/Far West
|
36,031
|
11.8%
|
31,990
|
25.0%
|
68,021
|
15.7%
|
|
United States
|
209,639
|
13.4%
|
116,196
|
18.6%
|
325,835
|
14.9%
|
National Totals Number %
Catholic 1,852,635 84.5
Non-Catholic 325,835 14.9
Not Reported 14,061 0.6
Total 2,191,531 100.0
Staffing of Catholic Schools
In 2008-2009, the total, full-time equivalent (FTE) teaching staff in Catholic elementary/middle and secondary schools is 157,615. Over the past decade, the lay faculty percentages increased from 85% to the current 96.0%. At present, 4.0% of the professional staff are religious and clergy. Exhibit 28 presents the FTE data by category and percentage.
EXHIBIT 28
Full-time Equivalent Professional Staff
|
Elementary
|
%
|
Secondary
|
%
|
All Schools
|
%
|
Total
|
%
|
|
Sisters
|
3,128
|
3.0
|
1,296
|
2.5
|
4,424
|
2.8
|
Lay
|
96.0
|
|
Brothers
|
131
|
0.1
|
790
|
1.5
|
921
|
0.6
|
Religious
|
4.0
|
|
Priests
|
210
|
0.2
|
772
|
1.5
|
983
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
Female Lay
|
89,952
|
85.2
|
27,468
|
52.7
|
117,420
|
74.5
|
|
|
|
Male Lay
|
12,097
|
11.5
|
21,771
|
41.8
|
33,867
|
21.5
|
|
|
|
*Total
|
105,518
|
100.0
|
52,097
|
100.0
|
157,615
|
100.0
|
|
|
Lay: 96.0.9 % Religious: 4.0%
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United States Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools 2008-2009 The Annual Statistical Report on Schools, Enrollment and Staffing
Dale McDonald, PBVM, PhD
Director of Public Policy and Educational Research
Margaret Schultz
The National Catholic Educational Association
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The full 51 page report contains the following topics and is available for purchase from NCEA ($15 member/$23 nonmember) at the NCEA Online Store.
- Schools and Enrollment History
- School Staffing History
- Public/Private School Comparisons
- Percentage Distribution of Schools by Enrollment Size
- Percentage Distribution of Private Schools by Typology
- Percentage Distribution of Students in Private Schools by Typology
- Regional Distribution of Elementary/Middle and Secondary Schools
- Location of Schools
- Schools by Types of Governance
- Schools with Boards/Commissions/Councils
- Single Gender Schools
- School Openings and Closings
- Enrollment by Grade Level
- Enrollment by Region
- Student Enrollment: States with Ten Highest Enrollments
- Student Enrollment: Dioceses with Largest Enrollments
- Diocesan Enrollment Patterns
- Schools with Waiting Lists
- Average Tuition and Per Pupil Costs
- Catholic School Enrollment and Percentages by Ethnic Background
- Non-Catholic Enrollment
- Full-Time Equivalent Professional Staff
- Student/Teacher Ratio
- Non-Catholic Faculty Numbers and Percentages
- Faculty Numbers and Percentages by Ethnic Background
- Schools with Extended Day Programs
- Students Receiving Title 1 Services
- Participation in Federal Nutrition Programs
- Students Receiving Government Subsidized/Free Transportation to School
- Schools with Student Access to Internet
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Financing the Mission: a Profile of Catholic Elementary Schools in the United States 2007
by Br. Robert R. Bimonte, FSC. This biennial report contains financial information regarding tuition, per-pupil cost, cost of instruction materials, fund-raising, salaries, and benefits, endowment funds, pre-kindergarten, and more. 2008. 31 pages. The full report is available for purchase from NCEA ($22. members; $28. non-members) at the Online Store.
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Dollars and Sense: Catholic High Schools and Their Finances 2009 (Executive Summary)
by Mary Frances Taymans, SND, Ed.D. and Christiane Connors. NCEA Secondary Schools Department administers the Dollars and Sense survey to create a national portrait of the financial status of Catholic high schools. This executive summary presents both current data as well as recent trends in several areas of finance, governance and administrative organization. The report illustrates the challenges schools face while offering encouraging news about the creative ways schools address those challenges. 2009. 19pp.
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Dollars and Sense: A Report on Catholic High School Leadership, Governance & Finance
by Mary L. Gautier, Ph.D. and Mary E. Bendyna, RSM, Ph.D.
The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University conducted the survey on the Secondary Schools Department's behalf, which builds on previous studies and forms the basis for the Dollars and Sense Executive Summary (above).. This is a comprehensive, 142 page report on Catholic secondary school leadership, governance and finance.
($50. members; $75. non-members) at the NCEA Online Store.
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