Since 1868, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Harrisburg have educated students in an environment that blends academic excellence, personal responsibility, accountability, compassion, and moral and spiritual formation, with a deep commitment to service, justice and respecting the dignity of every human life. These students are not only formed to serve — they are called to lead.
The beginning of this new school year is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on Catholic schools, which continue to deliver excellence despite many challenges. In the Diocese of Harrisburg, we proudly operate the third-largest Catholic school system in Pennsylvania, serving thousands of students from diverse backgrounds in 32 schools across central Pennsylvania.
According to the Nation’s Report Card (NAEP), Catholic schools consistently excel in math and reading. In fact, if Catholic schools collectively were considered a state, we would be the best-performing state in the nation. And our Diocesan high school graduation rate stands at an impressive 99%.
These numbers are more than just statistics — they reflect vitality and the dedication of parents and educators working together.
Yet even with these impressive outcomes, Catholic schools remain vulnerable.
We operate in an environment where costs are rising, and in some cases, our parishes contribute as much as 40 cents for each dollar spent supporting their local Catholic school. This support is given even though 25% of our students are not Catholic, but because we believe all children should have access to a high-quality education. Even with this support, many families who would choose a Catholic school simply cannot afford it, making consistent enrollment a struggle.
The challenges facing Catholic schools are real, and the consequences can be painful. Sadly, in June, Resurrection Catholic School in Lancaster was forced to close its doors. Despite the dedication of families, educators and parish leaders, declining enrollment, rising facility costs and limited revenue left the school without a sustainable path forward. Its closure underscores the urgent need to expand support for Catholic schools.
We’ve taken important steps to strengthen our own schools: crafting a unified vision, promoting the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program and establishing a newly announced commission focused on the future of Catholic education. This ad hoc commission of education, business and government leaders will work throughout the coming year to help strengthen Catholic schools, with a focus on sustainability and overall direction.
Still, if we want our schools to remain accessible to all taxpaying families — regardless of ZIP code or income — public policy must rise to meet public need.
EITC funding should grow in step with funding for public schools, providing stable and predictable support for Catholic schools. Currently, more than 1,000 of our students are zoned for public schools that the state defines as a failing. The Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) program helps some of these students, but its eligibility threshold — set at the bottom 15% of public schools — leaves many behind. The simple step of expanding eligibility to the lowest 25% would allow us to serve even more children in need.
If we believe every child deserves access to a high-quality education, we must expand school choice. Empowering families to choose is not only fair, it is smart and widely supported. It eases the burden on taxpayers, strengthens communities and helps sustain a vibrant educational landscape.
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Harrisburg are doing their part. We educate with excellence, serve with integrity, and enrich both families and society. We are ready to welcome even more young minds and hearts into our classrooms.
Still, we cannot do this alone.
We need lawmakers, donors and advocates to stand with us so that a Catholic education becomes a real option for every child, not just a privilege for those who can afford it.
Our children — and our Commonwealth — deserve nothing less.
By Bishop Timothy C. Senior, Bishop of Harrisburg
