Can School Choice SAVE Catholic Education?

While Catholic schools across America face a steep enrollment decline, Florida’s thriving model offers a blueprint for revival through school choice programs that are changing the education landscape.

At a Glance 

  • New York has seen a devastating 31% drop in Catholic school enrollment since 2015, while Florida has enjoyed a 12% increase during the same period
  • Florida’s success stems from private-school choice programs offering approximately $8,000 in scholarships per student, with 500,000 participants in 2025
  • 89% of Florida’s Catholic school students now benefit from these choice scholarships
  • Research shows scholarship recipients have higher college attendance rates, with benefits extending to nearby public schools
  • The proposed Educational Choice for Children Act aims to replicate Florida’s successful model nationwide

A Tale of Two States: New York’s Decline vs. Florida’s Growth

The contrasting fortunes of Catholic education in New York and Florida tell a compelling story about educational policy. New York’s Catholic schools have experienced a devastating 31% enrollment decline from 2015 to 2025, forcing many historic institutions to close their doors permanently. Meanwhile, Florida has bucked the national trend with a remarkable 12% increase in Catholic school enrollment during the same period. This stark difference highlights how state-level policies can dramatically impact educational institutions that have traditionally served as stepping stones to the middle class for generations of Americans. 

The primary difference between these states is Florida’s embrace of private-school choice programs. Every student in Florida is now eligible for choice scholarships worth approximately $8,000, creating an educational marketplace where parents can select the best school for their children regardless of income level. This approach has particularly benefited Catholic schools, with 89% of their students now utilizing these scholarships. In contrast, New York’s lack of similar programs has contributed to the accelerating decline of its once-robust Catholic school network.

The Florida Model: Choice Driving Excellence

Florida’s educational renaissance extends beyond just enrollment numbers. The state has achieved impressive results across its entire education system while maintaining one of the lowest per-pupil spending rates in the nation. Graduation rates have climbed significantly, and students have shown strong performance on national assessments including Advanced Placement exams and the National Assessment of Educational Progress. This success challenges the notion that increased funding alone is the answer to educational improvement.

Low-income students have been among the greatest beneficiaries of Florida’s approach. Research shows that students using private-school choice scholarships are more likely to attend college and earn degrees than their peers. Contrary to critics’ predictions, public schools near those participating in choice programs have also improved, showing better test scores and reductions in disciplinary issues including suspensions and absenteeism. The competitive educational marketplace has elevated performance across all school types.

Catholic Schools: A Proven Model for Student Success

Catholic schools have long demonstrated their effectiveness, particularly for disadvantaged students. Research spanning decades consistently shows Catholic schools outperform public institutions in key metrics including graduation rates, standardized test scores, and college acceptance rates. This success comes despite operating with significantly lower budgets than their public counterparts. The “Catholic school effect” stems from a combination of strong leadership, shared values, safe learning environments, and high academic expectations. 

Studies have consistently found that Catholic schools reduce dropout rates and increase college attendance, particularly for minority and low-income students. These institutions also excel at creating integrated learning environments that more closely achieve the “common school” ideal than many public schools. Florida’s Catholic schools have adapted to changing demographics by becoming more diverse and offering varied programs while maintaining their core values and commitment to academic excellence.

A National Solution: The Educational Choice for Children Act

The proposed Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) seeks to bring Florida’s successful model to the national stage. This legislation would create a federal tax credit scholarship program, enabling more families to choose the educational environment best suited for their children. Supporters argue this approach would not only revitalize struggling Catholic school systems in states like New York but also improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged students nationwide while creating healthy competition that benefits all schools. 

Critics of school choice often cite concerns about selection bias or express worries about religious institutions receiving public funding. However, proponents point to Florida’s experience as evidence that these programs can be implemented successfully while maintaining appropriate separation between church and state. The statistics from Florida also challenge misconceptions about Catholic schools’ discipline practices, demonstrating they often succeed with students who struggled in public settings rather than simply selecting the most academically gifted.

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