5 Benefits of Attending Catholic Schools During High School
Research shows remarkable benefits of attending Catholic schools. Read on to learn more about why so many parents choose Catholic schooling for their children.
In the 2022-2023 school year, it is estimated that almost 1.7 million students were enrolled in Catholic schools in the United States. Many parents are surprised to learn that Catholic school enrollment increased during the Coronavirus pandemic, and numbers have increased ever since. But why?
Research shows repeatedly that Catholic school graduates and their families benefit significantly from the quality of education offered in Catholic private schools. These benefits are often on full display both during a student’s high school years and in the years that follow.
St. Agnes Academy is a Catholic private school that strives to equip pupils with the tools and experiences they need to thrive in all facets of their lives. Let’s explore five key benefits of attending Catholic schools like St. Agnes and discuss the role Catholic schools play in shaping our students’ futures.
Curious About the Benefits of Attending Catholic Schools?
Whether you’re a current Catholic school student or a young person considering your educational options, it’s important to understand what sets different academic institutions apart. The benefits of a Catholic education are well-documented, not just by researchers but by Catholic high school graduates and their families.
At St. Agnes, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and welcoming community and love hearing from alumni about how their time at St. Agnes has impacted their lives. Here are the most important reasons to attend Catholic schools, as reported by students and their families.
1. Rigorous Academics
Catholic schools like St. Agnes understand the importance of challenging students academically while giving them the tools they need to succeed.
- On average, 99% of Catholic school students graduate from high school, and 86% advance to attend college.
These success rates are evident in the outcomes for St. Agnes students. This is because St. Agnes offers the level of academic rigor necessary to properly prepare students for their higher education and professional endeavors and enables them to more seamlessly transition into adulthood.
Even with our advanced curriculum, St. Agnes students consistently demonstrate high levels of academic achievement thanks to the individualized support offered by our faculty and staff.
The average student/teacher ratio at St. Agnes is 10:1, which means students do not have to compete for the full attention of their instructors and can navigate their coursework feeling confident, empowered, and supported.
2. Faith-Focused Education
The faith-centered aspects of Catholic school education are particularly valuable to many families embarking on the school choice process.
St. Agnes, for example, is rooted in the Catholic, Dominican tradition and is dedicated to integrating the principles of Catholic Social Teaching into all that we do. Theology courses are a major part of our curriculum, and we offer weekly Mass on-campus for all students who wish to participate.
However, it is important to note that you do not have to come from a Catholic family to attend Catholic school. St. Agnes welcomes students of all faith backgrounds, and we pride ourselves on working to instill in our students the strong moral values within all belief systems.
Research shows that Catholic students of all faith backgrounds demonstrate higher levels of faith knowledge than public school students enrolled in parish programs, which is a testament to the effectiveness of our faith-centered curriculum.
3. Strong Sense of Community
Catholic schools are, at their core, community-focused institutions. In addition to being part of a larger, national Catholic education community, individual Catholic schools also function as integral parts of their local ecosystems.
This may be due, in part, to the fact that Catholic schools like St. Agnes Academy emphasize the importance of community engagement, being civically engaged, and committing to service throughout a student’s educational journey.
St. Agnes requires each student to complete a servant leadership project of 100 community service hours before graduating. Thus, all St. Agnes graduates leave high school with a first-hand understanding of their ability to affect positive change within their communities while working for the common good.
4. Top-Tier Extracurriculars
In addition to achieving academic excellence, Catholic school students frequently demonstrate remarkable levels of success in their extracurricular pursuits. With colleges and employers more invested than ever in recruiting well-rounded individuals, it is crucial that high school students have ample opportunities to diversify their skill sets through extracurricular activities.
St. Agnes Academy offers a wide variety of extracurricular programming in areas like:
- Art
- Music
- Theatre
- Dance
- Ministry
- Computer Science
We also boast a highly competitive athletics program that offers students the opportunity to participate in 12 different sports across three athletic seasons, as well as summer intensives and off-season training opportunities.
5. Robust Support Services
Catholic schools recognize the importance of nourishing students’ brains, bodies, and spirits during their high school years. As a result, many Catholic schools offer first-rate student support services to help students thrive in all areas of their lives.
St. Agnes offers various support services designed to help students achieve their personal, professional, and academic goals. We offer disability services, mental health support, and college counseling to all students, and our support services are designed to adapt to our student body as they progress through their high school journeys.
Learn More About St. Agnes Academy
St. Agnes is proud to offer top-tier academic and extracurricular opportunities to students in our community while working to instill strong values and healthy habits in students of all backgrounds and abilities.
To learn more about how you and your family could benefit from joining the St. Agnes community, we would love the chance to get to know you.
You can contact us today to speak with a member of our admissions team or learn more about our community culture. We look forward to discussing the benefits of attending Catholic schools with you.
