Northern Virginia Catholic schools continue to experience enrollment growth for the third consecutive year.
The Catholic Schools in Northern Virginia See Continued Enrollment Growth
The Catholic schools in the northern Virginia area have experienced a remarkable trend of increasing enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year. Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, these schools have seen a 10% surge in enrollment since 2020.
The Catholic Diocese of Arlington, which comprises 37 elementary schools, four high schools, three stand-alone preschools, and five independent schools, has consistently witnessed a rise in student enrollment. This is in stark contrast to the public school districts in Virginia, which have struggled to reach pre-pandemic enrollment levels.
Impressive Numbers Reflecting Growth
According to the Diocese of Arlington Office of Catholic Schools, an estimated 18,488 students have enrolled in schools within the diocese. This includes the highly populated counties of Loudoun and Fairfax, encompassing the entirety of northern Virginia. These latest enrollment figures represent a 10% increase from the 2019-20 school year, with an additional 150 students joining this year.
Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington expressed his gratitude to the parents, teachers, faculty, and staff who embrace the Catholic faith through education. He emphasized the importance of the partnership between parents and teachers in nurturing and educating students, acknowledging that parents are the primary teachers of their children.
The growing interest in Catholic schools has led to waitlists in several schools, and Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Virginia, has achieved full enrollment for the first time in over two decades, as stated in a diocesan press release.
A Contrast to Public School Enrollment
While Catholic schools thrive, nearby public school districts have experienced declining enrollment in recent years, struggling to recover from the impact of the pandemic. Fairfax County Public Schools, the largest school district in Virginia, reported a notable drop in student numbers, with 180,109 students in the 2022-23 school year compared to nearly 189,000 students in 2019-20.
Bishop Burbidge emphasized the Catholic faith’s belief that every young person is a gift from God and deserves holistic formation. He expressed his gratitude to parents who continue to trust in the growth of Catholic schools and assured them of his prayers as the new school year begins.
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