Statistics

Numbers Don’t Lie

1. Academic Performance in Private Christian Schools

a. Average Scores on Standardized Tests: Private school students, including Christian school students, generally score higher on standardized tests. For instance, on the 2005 NAEP:

b. Reading: Private school eighth-graders scored 12 points higher on average than public school peers.

c. Mathematics: Private school students scored 18 points higher on average.

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2. Pandemic Performance: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Christian school students scored consistently above national norms

a. Mathematics: Over 10 points higher than the national average.

b. Reading: Approximately 20 points higher than the national average, showing resilience in academic performance during disruptions.

3. Enrollment and Demographics in Private Christian Schools

a. Religious School Enrollment: In 2021-22, about 4.7 million K–12 students attended private schools, with 66% of private schools having a religious orientation, including many Christian schools.

4. Holistic Development and College Success in Private Christian Schools

a. Post-Secondary Education: Students from private Christian schools are:

b. 28% more likely to graduate from college within four years than public school students.

c. 50% more likely to attend religious services weekly as adults, suggesting sustained engagement in faith communities.

5. Academic Outcomes and Interest Growth in STEM Schools

a. Advanced Placement (AP) Exams in STEM: Participation in AP STEM exams has shown significant growth over the past decade:

b. Total STEM AP exam participation increased from 879,492 in 2009 to 1,684,501 in 2019.

c. AP Computer Science saw a nearly tenfold increase from 2009 to 2019, highlighting rising student interest in STEM subjects. (Source: NSF)

d. Higher Math Achievement: Students at inclusive STEM high schools:

i. Score significantly higher in mathematics, with a 15% higher average in advanced math courses than the national average.

ii. Are more than 1.5 times

6. Post-Secondary Success for STEM Program Participants

a. College Graduation Rates: STEM-focused summer program participants show increased success in college:

b. Participants were 8 percentage points more likely to graduate within four years than non-participants.

c. Those in high-quality STEM programs saw a 20% higher rate of four-year degree completion.

7. Workforce Outcomes for STEM Graduates

a. Employment in STEM Occupations: A strong alignment between STEM education and workforce success is evident:

b. Among 25- to 34-year-olds with a bachelor’s in a STEM field, 63% are employed in STEM occupations, reflecting a strong return on investment in STEM education through direct career alignment. (Sou

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8. Summary

a. Private Christian Schools: Offer higher test scores (10-20 points above average), strong college graduation rates (+28%), and long-term engagement in faith practices (+50%).

b. STEM Schools: Produce high AP participation rates (over 1.5 million annually), significant college graduation increases (+8%), and strong workforce alignment, with 63% employed in STEM fields post-degree.

9. Private Christian Schools: Academic, Social, and Faith-Based Outcomes in faith:

a. 85% of graduates report regular church attendance in adulthood, compared to 39% of public Higher SAT Scores: On average, private Christian school students score higher on standardized tests such as the SAT:

b. Reading/Writing: Christian school students score 50-100 points higher than the national average.

c. Mathematics: Scores are typically 20-80 points higher than peers in public schools. (Source: ACSI)

d. College Attendance: Students from private Christian schools are more likely to attend college:

e. 67% of private Christian school graduates enroll in college, compared to 59% of public school graduates.

f. In some Christian school networks, as many as 85-90% of graduates pursue higher education.

g. Social and Behavioral Outcomes: Private Christian school students report higher levels of personal and social responsibility:

h. 82% of Christian school students say they feel a sense of moral responsibility, versus 70% in public schools.

i. Christian school graduates are 20% more likely to volunteer regularly as adults compared to public school graduates.

j. Long-Term Faith Engagement: Private Christian schools support students’ lifelong engagement school alumni.

k. Student-Teacher Ratio: Private Christian schools generally have smaller class sizes, promoting individual attention and relationship-building:

l. Average Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 in private Christian schools, compared to 16:1 in public schools.

m. Academic Resilience During COVID-19: According to national surveys, Christian school students experienced fewer academic setbacks during the pandemic:

n. Learning Loss: Only 30% of Christian school students experienced significant learning loss, compared to 59% of public school students.

10. STEM Schools: Academic Achievement, College Readiness, and Career Impact

a.STEM Major Enrollment: STEM high school programs have a significant impact on students’ choice of college major:

b. Over 50% of STEM high school graduates pursue STEM majors in college, compared to 28% of non-STEM high school graduates.

c. High STEM AP Exam Pass Rates: Students in STEM-focused high schools perform well on AP exams, indicating college readiness:

d. AP Physics: Pass rates for students in STEM schools are 20% higher than the national average.

e. AP Calculus: Pass rates are 15% higher than the national average.

f. Increased Graduation Rates: STEM schools often have higher graduation rates due to academic engagement and support:

g. Four-Year Graduation Rate: 92% of students from STEM-focused high schools graduate in four years, compared to the national average of 84%.

h. College Retention: Students from STEM high schools have higher college retention rates:

i. Retention into Second Year: 80% of STEM high school graduates remain in college after the first year, compared to 65% of general high school graduates.

j. Career Readiness: STEM education directly aligns with high-paying, in-demand fields:

k. Median Annual Salary for STEM Workers: $86,980, nearly double the median wage for non-STEM jobs at $45,760.

l. Job Growth: Employment in STEM occupations is projected to grow 10.5% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

m. Advanced Learning Opportunities: STEM schools often provide specialized learning opportunities that boost students’ skills:

n. Internship Participation: 60% of students in STEM high schools complete internships, providing real-world experience and a competitive edge in college admissions.

o. Dual Enrollment Programs: Nearly 50% of STEM students participate in dual enrollment programs, earning college credits while in high school.

p. High Demand for STEM Graduates: The demand for STEM skills is increasing across multiple industries:

q. Unemployment Rate: STEM occupations had a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, compared to 4% across other fields.

r. Employer Demand: Nearly 70% of employers report difficulty finding qualified STEM candidates, indicating strong job security for STEM-educated students.

11. Summary of Key Quantitative Benefits

a. Private Christian Schools: Higher college enrollment rates (+8%), SAT scores up to 100 points above average, 85% lifelong church attendance, 20% more likely to volunteer regularly, and fewer pandemic-related setbacks.

b. STEM Schools: Over 50% of graduates pursue STEM majors, AP pass rates up to 20% higher, 92% four-year graduation rate, high employment in STEM jobs with median wages of $86,980, and projected 10.5% job growth in STEM fields.