Abstract
The purpose of this study was to discern which socioeconomic classes are represented in Catholic high school populations across the United States. In addition, the study sought to discover the motivations of those families whose children were currently enrolled in American Catholic high schools. Also explored were the reasons why Catholic families who have sent their child or children to Catholic elementary schools were electing not to continue Catholic education at the secondary level. Because financial aid availability has risen along with tuition (Tracy, 2001), this investigation included the extent to which such financial aid was considered by Catholic families, as well as the perceptions of Catholic families as to its availability at the secondary level. As tuition rates rise at a higher level than the cost of living and averages wage increases, this study additionally examined the extent to which the assertion (Baker & Riordan, 1998, 1999; Riordan, 2000) that American Catholic high schools were becoming more elitist is true. The Catholic Church’s statements as to the accessibility of Catholic education to all social classes provided a framework throughout the investigation.
Highlights
In the United States, enrollment in Catholic schools hit its peak in the mid1960s (Bryk, Lee, & Holland, 1993; Youniss & Convey, 2000)
They were given across 6 archdioceses and 6 dioceses in the United States, two in each of the six national regions as identified by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
The data supplied by the high school administrators, on the other hand, provided a picture of the difference between tuition and available aid from one school to the
Summary
In the United States, enrollment in Catholic schools hit its peak in the mid1960s (Bryk, Lee, & Holland, 1993; Youniss & Convey, 2000). Catholic high school tuition has risen steadily at a rate consistently higher than both family income increases and the rate of inflation. Over a 30-year period, this trend has forced Catholic high school demographics to involuntarily shift from working class families to families of significantly higher income levels. This reality challenges Catholic high schools in light of the mission of Catholic education to be. Sociologist Greeley (1998, 1999) vehemently disagreed, pointing out that financial aid has increased significantly, and Catholic schools have many success stories in urban populations with minority students Researchers Baker and Riordan (1998, 1999) claim that the “eliting” of the Catholic school has created an educational environment in many schools which favors high academic standards while putting the Catholic and Christian nature and mission of the school “on the back burner.” Sociologist Greeley (1998, 1999) vehemently disagreed, pointing out that financial aid has increased significantly, and Catholic schools have many success stories in urban populations with minority students
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