Findings from focus groups on Latino Catholic perceptions of Catholic schools

Abstract

Enrolment in US Catholic schools is declining at a time when the number of US Catholics is increasing due, in large part, to the rapid growth of the US Latino population. To understand these enrollment trends the Institute for Latino Studies, on behalf of the University of Notre Dame Task Force on Latinos in Catholic Education, conducted focus groups among Latinos in seven US cities to examine Latino Catholic perceptions of Catholic schools. The basic story that emerged from the focus groups was uniform: Latinos value Catholic school education for many reasons. However, the perception that Catholic schools are simply unaffordable not only prevents Latinos from enrolling their children but also lessens the likelihood that they will seek information about Catholic schools. The report concludes by offering solutions proposed by Latino parents to make Catholic schools more appealing to them.