Archdiocese Releases Test Scores for Elementary Schools 

The Archdiocese of Baltimore announced today that students in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese exceeded the national average on standardized test scores in every age group tested and in many cases students scored in the top third of students nationally.

Scores for thestandardized achievement tests, administered earlier this year to students in grades three through eight, indicated marked improvement from grade to grade, with few exceptions in fifth and sixth grades, the time when many parents are transitioning students from public schools to Catholic schools.

Scores in the higher grades were particularly strong, with average scores for 7^th grade students placing in the 74^th percentile in reading, language and math, while eight grade students placed in the 73^rd percentile in reading and math, and the 76^th percentile in language. 

“These test scores demonstrate that our schools work and that our committed teachers are doing an excellent job of preparing the students we serve for high school and beyond,” Archbishop Edwin O’Brien said.  “Catholic schools remain an excellent investment for parents to make for their children’s future.”

The Archdiocese will post the test scores for each school on its website, www.archbalt.org, beginning next week. 

“Parents rightly want more information about the academic quality of the schools they are considering for their child’s education,” Dr. Ronald J. Valenti, Superintendent of Schools said.  “We are proud of how well our schools and our students perform and are eager to share that with both prospective and current parents.”

Third grade students tested in the 65^th percentile in reading, 63^rd percentile in language and 60^th percentile in math.  Fourth graders placed in the 75^th percentile in reading, 77^th in language, and 72^nd in math.  While fifth grade students tested in the 72^nd percentile in reading, 73^rd percentile in language and 69^th percentile in math.  Sixth graders placed in the 73^rd percentile in reading, 69^th percentile in language and 70^th percentile in math. 

Students in inner-city Catholic elementary schools, many of whom receive tuition assistance from the Partners in Excellence scholarship program, scored near or above the national norm for all subject areas, with performance showing marked improvement from grade to grade.

The Stanford Achievement Test is the standardized battery of tests used by the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

The tenth edition of the Stanford Achievement Test, known as the Stanford 10 is the most recent and is used by school systems throughout the United States. The test developers incorporate national standards as appropriate for different ages and grades.

Last year, 97 percent of students in Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese graduated and 95 percent went on to attend college.