Facts we should know about Catholic schools

SALT LAKE CITY — In light of the current debate regarding Referendum Number One – School Vouchers – and resultant media campaigns, Bishop John C. Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City and the Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools released the following information Sept. 17.

• All Catholic school teachers are certified by the State of Utah. Some teachers who arrive in Utah with certification from other states are given a maximum of three years to attain Utah certification.

• All of the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s 15 Catholic Schools are accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS).

• Although elementary schools (public and private) are not required to be accredited, all Catholic schools in Utah are accredited.

• All Catholic schools in the Diocese of Salt Lake City meet the standards for state curriculum requirements.

• The per student cost for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Salt Lake City averages $4,000 per year, compared with the approximate per student average cost of $7,500 in Utah’s public schools.

• Catholic schools are not just for students from wealthy families. Last year alone, the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s Catholic schools provided more than $5 million in tuition assistance.

• More than 95 percent of Catholic High School graduates in the Diocese of Salt Lake City go on to colleges and universities.

• All students in grades two through eight in the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Salt Lake City take the annual national norm reference test (The Stanford Achievement Test, 10th edition).

• All students entering Catholic schools in the Diocese of Salt Lake City are given entrance examinations for placement only. Last year alone diocesan Catholic schools educated 33 students who were eligible for the Carson-Smith Scholarship Program for students with mild to moderate disabilities.

• Catholic schools in the Diocese of Salt Lake City are proud of their diversity. More than 27 percent of our students are members of ethnic minority groups.

• Statistics for the 2005-2006 school year prove the Catholic/non-Catholic ratio in diocesan schools was 77 percent/23 percent.

• This year, most of the 15 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Salt Lake City have a few openings in some grades. Some schools have waiting lists.

• Four Catholic schools in the Diocese of Salt Lake City are Title I qualified schools with a total of 221 students with learning needs who are from economically disadvantaged families. They qualify for free and reduced-price lunch programs.

For further information call 801-328-8641 ext. 330.