Conclusions

Abstract

The results of this study indicate that African Americans and Hispanics have gained the most from Catholic schooling. They have substantially higher levels of educational attainment and academic achievement when they attended Catholic schools. It could not be shown that Catholic high schools had significant effects on academic outcomes of non-Hispanic whites. Although the probability of graduating from high school and attaining higher test scores are higher for white students in Catholic high schools, this was shown to be more of a result of selection than superior schooling. One exception was that Catholic schools increased mathematics test scores in the rural sector. Further, it could not be shown that Catholic high schools reduced the likelihood that young adults smoked, used marijuana, or abused alcohol.