FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2000
Contact: Larry D. Keough (850) 222-3803
Br. Richard DeMaria, Superintendent, Archdiocese of Miami (305) 762-1076
Mrs. Patricia Tierney, Superintendent, Diocese of St. Augustine (800) 775-4659
Br. John Cummings, Superintendent, Diocese of St. Petersburg (727) 345-3338
Miss Maureen Huntington, Superintendent, Diocese of Orlando (407) 246-4900
Sr. Mary Caplice, Superintendent, Diocese of Pensacola/Tallahassee (850) 432-1515
Sr. Joan Dawson, Superintendent, Diocese of Palm Beach (561) 775-9547
Mrs. Rosemary Bratton, Superintendent, Diocese of Venice (941) 484-9543
Tallahassee, FL -- Florida
Catholic schools, providing high-quality education, spirituality and a value system while
keeping tuition rates as low as possible, continue to attract students in record number.
For the twelfth consecutive year, the overall enrollment increased in Florida
Catholic schools. The record number of 93,379 students reflects an increasing trend
since 1988 when school enrollment statewide totaled 69,357. Last year’s total
enrollment was 90,241.
"The continual increase in enrollment parallels an awareness among
parents that Catholic schools are a great investment in their children’s
futures," said Larry Keough, Associate for Education of the Florida Catholic
Conference. "It is little wonder that most of our schools statewide are near or
at capacity."
The statewide average diocesan tuition for a Catholic school elementary
student is $2,576. That amount is what a statewide tuition average would be for a
Catholic family, which is active in a parish, to send a child to a Catholic school for one
year. In five of the seven dioceses, the average tuition rate is actually lower than
the statewide figure (link to
current school statistics page). Tuition averages are higher in two South
Florida dioceses due to cost of living expenses and other variables.
In an era of soaring educational costs, the average annual diocesan tuition
remains relatively low, which in part stems from administrative efficiency. A
combined 20 diocesan school administrators oversee the administrative responsibilities of
225 Catholic schools statewide.
The 1999-2000 figures were released as Catholic schools prepare nationwide
for the Jan. 30 - Feb. 4 Catholic Schools Week. The week will be dedicated as a time
for Catholic schools throughout the nation to reflect on their commitments, sacrifices and
accomplishments to provide successful faith-oriented education. The theme of the
week is, "Lighting the Way to a New Century."
The latest Florida Catholic school statistics reveal that minorities,
including African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians and American Indians, make up 33 percent of
the overall enrollment throughout the seven dioceses, from the Panhandle to South Florida.
Approximately 89 percent of the students are Catholic in the Catholic schools
throughout the state. Of the total number of schools, 188 are elementary, 32 are
secondary, and five serve special needs students. In addition, 94 percent of the
6,202 school faculty and administrators are lay persons.
For more information, please contact your diocesan school superintendent or
Mr. Keough.
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