December 16, 2009

Hispanics realize greater academic success in Catholic schools, study shows

By John Gleason

Hispanic students who attend Catholic elementary schools realize greater academic success than their public school counterparts, a recent study shows.

The report, “To Nurture the Soul of a Nation—Latino Families, Catholic Schools and Educational Opportunity,” shows that Hispanic students in Catholic elementary schools are 42 percent are more likely to graduate high school and more than two-and-a-half times more likely to graduate college then are their public school attending peers.

The nationwide study was conducted over the course of a year by the Notre Dame University Task Force on the Participation of Latino Children and Families in Catholic Schools. The results were announced Dec. 12 at St. Rose of Lima School, which took part in the study.

“Of our Hispanic students who attended St. Rose and then went on to high school, we have a 98 percent graduation rate,” said Tracy Alarcon, St. Rose principal.  “We’re very proud of that.”

The 64-page study explored the effects of Catholic education and how it pertains to Hispanic children. It also researched why some Catholic schools have continued success whereas others have closed. 

St. Rose of Lima School was selected as the report release site as it features prominently in the study as an example of success, according to Jeannie Courchene, former St. Rose principal turned development director.

“The study examined what was needed to make a successful school—what was succeeding as far as raising money and keeping the kids in the classroom. It also looked at the fact that Catholic schools are closing all over the nation,” she told the Denver Catholic Register.  “In short, it looked at how to put two and two together and come up with the best way to educate the Latino community while at the same time, keep our Catholic schools open.”

Courchene said that during the study, representatives from Notre Dame interviewed parents, teachers, administrators and students from across the country to come up with suggestions as to how to increase the number of Hispanics—the demographic group that will make up the greatest percentage of the Catholic Church in five years—in Catholic schools from its current 3 percent to 6 percent.

Study results for Hispanic students attending public schools are alarming.  Only 53 percent of Latinos attending high school graduate in four years; just 16 percent of Hispanic 18-year olds are considered college-ready and just 25 percent of those ages 18-24 even enroll in college. 

According to the study, there are nearly 700,000 empty seats in U.S. Catholic schools.  This represents an enormous opportunity to provide high-quality educational options for the Hispanic community.  One of the many reasons for the success at St. Rose of Lima is that they let the community know they’re there, Alarcon said.

“We do recruit from neighboring parishes,” she said.  “Right now our student enrollment stands at 214, many of these students are on vouchers or as the result of donors, but we want to make sure that those people who want a Catholic education for their children know that we’re here.”

The study recommended that Catholic schools inform and attract Hispanics and lower financial barriers. It urged stakeholders to work together to expand current capacity, re-open closed schools and build new facilities. The study also advised developing leaders who can transform a school’s culture to better serve Hispanic children.

The Denver Archdiocese’s superintendent of Catholic schools, Richard Thompson, said the fact that St. Rose of Lima School was featured so significantly in the report shows how well local Catholic schools are performing their function.

“St. Rose has addressed the needs of Latino and other minority populations in filling a neighborhood school and it holds kids to the highest expectations,” he said.  “The one area where Catholic schools shine above all is their success rate with students who’ve been marginalized by society.  It brings them into an environment where they belong, where they are nurtured and challenged and shows them how to fully understand and know their gifts.”

 The study concludes by saying that as the achievement gap for Hispanic children is closed, students will benefit from the improved educational opportunities and the Catholic school system will be revitalized.  The result will be a better educated citizenry with skills needed to be successful in the next century.

A complete copy of the study is available online at http:catholicschooladvantage.nd.edu.