Catholic schools are thriving in Florida – and outperforming all over the country

Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 24 to mark the beginning of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. He has called Catholics to be “pilgrims of hope” and pursue special acts of penance and mercy. 

If hope will be a special theme for Catholics across the globe, it’s fitting that our schools can serve as beacons of hope for an American education system mired in sinking outcomes and rising inequality. 

In a round of testing that brought bad news for most students across the country, Catholic school students scored one to two grade levels higher than their public school peers. While the comparison from public and Catholic cannot be broken down at the state level, the national data shows Catholic school students outperforming their peers.  

The National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) reports that if Catholic schools were a state, they would rank first in NAEP scale scores for grades four and eight in math and reading. 

Chart by Marc Porter Magee

Just as Pope Francis opened a door to symbolize hope, Catholic schools in Florida and Iowa are opening their doors to more students. According to enrollment data recently released by the Florida Catholic, our state’s Catholic schools grew by 2.8% this year. The number of students using a state scholarship to attend also increased.  A NextSteps special report showed Florida Catholic schools not only survived but thrived between 2013 and 2023, posting 4.4% in enrollment during that span. 

Scholarships open the door for families that may not have been able to afford Catholic school tuition. In Iowa Catholic schools, growth is accelerating. They report a 4% enrollment increase, now serving 25,264 students. National Catholic school enrollment numbers will be released in the coming months by the NCEA. 

Pope Francis said, “Hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come.”  

Opportunity brings hope to those who need it most. Students using a scholarship for unique abilities in Florida’s Catholic schools increased by 36% year-over-year. Catholic schools are finding new ways to serve unique populations while maintaining a steadfast commitment to academic excellence.  

The recent NAEP scores and enrollment data from states with strong commitments to empowering parents to select the best schools for their children give hope for many.  

 


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BY Lauren May

Lauren May is senior director of advocacy at Step Up for Students. A former teacher, early childhood director and principal, she was honored with the University of Florida's Outstanding Young Alumni award in 2018. She lives in Jacksonville, Fla., with her husband and two children. She can be reached at (904) 416-0643 or [email protected].