Students in Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of New York have delivered impressive results on the 2026 New York State Education Department assessments, showcasing a significant academic advantage over their public school counterparts. The data reveals that 65.3% of students achieved proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and 67.4% in Mathematics for Grades 3–8.
A Stark Comparison with NYC Public Schools
The performance gap is particularly notable in New York City, where Catholic school students in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island significantly outperformed NYC public school students:
- English Language Arts: 66% proficiency in Catholic schools vs. 48% in NYC public schools.
- Mathematics: 69% proficiency in Catholic schools, surpassing NYC public schools by a massive 16 percentage points.
Holistic Education Focus
These results highlight more than just test scores; they reflect a commitment to strengthening instruction while focusing on the formation of the whole child. Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools, emphasized this dual focus:
"Certainly, we celebrate these results and the hard work of our students, teachers and families... But our goal is not simply to move students toward a particular score or standard. Our goal is to help each student grow into the person God created them to be."
Grade-Level Breakdown
- Mathematics: Results were remarkably consistent, with at least 60% proficiency across every grade level. Most grades saw improvements or maintained consistency from the previous year.
- English Language Arts: Middle-school grades showed incremental gains. More than two-thirds of students in Grades 6 through 8 achieved proficiency, with nearly three-quarters of Grade 7 students meeting the benchmark.
School teams will now utilize this data to identify strengths and areas for continued growth, ensuring that academic excellence goes hand-in-hand with personal development.
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