The Value of Catholic Education
By: Rev. Alexander Diaz
In a world increasingly marked by moral confusion, relativism, and a crisis of values, parents face a crucial decision: in whose hands will they entrust the academic and spiritual formation of their children? Catholic education, far from being just another option, has become a true necessity for those who desire their children to grow with a solid, well-rounded formation: mind, heart, and spirit.
Numerous studies and reports have pointed to a concerning crisis in the public education system. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as “the Nation’s Report Card,” has shown that reading and math proficiency levels have dropped drastically in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. “Average scores declined 5 points in reading and 7 points in mathematics compared to 2020.” This marks the largest decline in decades, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). A report by the Wall Street Journal (June 2024) stated that public school students have, on average, lost between one and two years of academic progress, and the gaps between students of different socioeconomic levels continue to widen.
But beyond academic challenges, the most serious issue is the ethical and moral collapse within the public system. In many jurisdictions, ideologies contrary to the faith and the natural development of children are being promoted—often without parental consultation and in direct contradiction to Christian principles. This has been denounced by various Catholic authorities, such as Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, who declared in 2022: “Much of what is being taught today in public schools is not education, but indoctrination. Parents have both the right and the duty to be involved and to choose what is best for their children.” (Archdiocese of San Francisco, article published on its official website).
In contrast, Catholic schools offer a solid alternative, grounded in the truth of the Gospel, academic excellence, and character formation. According to the 2023 statistical report by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), students in Catholic schools have a graduation rate of 99.1% and a college admission rate of 86%. Their standardized test results consistently surpass the national average.
Yet beyond academics, what truly sets a Catholic school apart is its focus on the holistic development of the human person: intellectually, morally, spiritually, and socially. In the words of Pope Francis, in his message on October 15, 2020, to the Global Compact on Education: “Education must form open hearts, capable of understanding reality from God’s perspective. Forming people willing to serve and live in fraternity,” while also reminding us of the responsibility that comes with educating: “Catholic education must form free and open hearts, able to choose what is good, to live the truth, and to serve others with joy.”
In a Catholic school, students learn to think critically, discern ethically, and live their faith with integrity. They are taught to respect human dignity, value life, uphold the importance of family, promote social justice, and practice solidarity. Children pray, celebrate the Eucharist, learn about the saints, and grow in an environment where God is not censored, but placed at the center of life.
It is true that sending a child to a Catholic school requires financial sacrifice. However, it is an investment in the soul and future of the child. As Bishop Robert Barron stated in an interview with Word on Fire (2021): “Catholic education is not a luxury. It is a right of the child and a responsibility of the parents. At stake is not only academic success but salvation.” Catholic schools also foster a sense of community, social commitment, and active parental involvement. They are true extended families where the presence of God in daily life is cherished.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (n. 2223) reminds us that parents are the primary educators of their children. Choosing a Catholic school is an extension of what is lived at home: faith, values, and love. It is not about isolating children from the world, but forming them to transform it—with the light of Christ.
In these challenging times, more than ever, we must form the new generations with solid, true, and eternal foundations. Catholic education is not just an alternative; it is a mission, a hope, a clear answer amid today’s confusion. Choosing a Catholic school is choosing for your child to grow up with truth, guided by God’s love, and prepared to be light in a world that so often walks in darkness.
