Catholic Schools: Impact and Opportunity for Access to Postsecondary Education

• In Event: Current Issues in Catholic K-12 Schools

Abstract

This study examines the efficacy of inner city Catholic high schools. It investigates graduation rates and how Catholic schools prepare their students for college through the lens of UC/CSU course completion rates, SAT sitting rates, SAT scores, and college attendance rates. Findings revealed that students in Catholic schools are graduating high school at impressive rates, 98.2%. By contrast, only 72% of their peers in public schools are graduating. Moreover, 90% graduate with the required UC/CSU courses completed. Comparable public schools graduated with these courses completed at 31%. Furthermore, findings revealed that students in Catholic schools took the SAT at higher rates and with better results than their public school counterparts and 97% continued onto postsecondary education.

Authors

• Ignacio Higareda, Loyola Marymount University

• Shane P. Martin, Loyola Marymount University

• Jose M. Chavez, Loyola Marymount University

• Karen Holyk-Casey, Loyola Marymount University