The end of summer marks the beginning of a new journey for graduates of diocesan high schools, with the vast majority heading off to start college.
Now is a good time to look back at some key statistics that define the excellence of the Diocese of Allentown’s six Catholic high schools.
Here are the combined highlights for Allentown Central Catholic; Berks Catholic, Reading; Bethlehem Catholic; Marian Catholic, Tamaqua; Nativity B.V.M., Pottsville; and Notre Dame, Easton:
Graduation rate: 98.7%
There were 667 students in the class of 2026, and 658 of them graduated successfully. The high school graduation rate in the Diocese’s Catholic high schools compares favorably to the statewide high school graduation rate of 89.1% for public and charter schools, as reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The combined graduation rate of 98.7% for the six high schools is calculated using the total number of students in the senior class and the total number of graduates. Rates for individual high schools were: Allentown Central Catholic, 98.7%; Berks Catholic, 100%; Bethlehem Catholic, 95.0%; Marian Catholic, 100%; Nativity B.V.M., 100%; and Notre Dame, 99.1%.
College-bound: 91%
A total of 534 graduates will attend a four-year college and another 65 are attending a two-year college. Of those not planning college, 12 are entering the military, 17 are attending a trade or technical school, and others are entering the workforce or taking a gap year.
$102 million in scholarships
College-bound students from diocesan high schools have earned a record $102,086,203 in college scholarships, showing their level of academic talent and the diligent support they received from teachers, counselors, and families. Some students received scholarship offers from multiple colleges and universities.
50,000-plus community service hours
Seniors in the six high schools volunteered a total of 53,476 hours on community service projects during their senior year.
In addition, four seniors from across the Diocese qualified for the National Merit Scholarship program, an annual nationwide academic competition that provides students with recognition and college scholarships.
“Taken together, these statistics show the quality of our Catholic high schools and the value that a Catholic school education in the Diocese of Allentown brings to students, to their families, and to our communities,” said Michael St. Pierre, Superintendent of Catholic Education.
“Beyond record-breaking college scholarship amounts and other very favorable statistical measures,” he said, “our six high schools produced another stellar group of graduates who are ready for life beyond high school and prepared to live out their God-given vocations.”
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