A comparison of student achievement in economically different but academically equivalent Catholic school programs

Urban and suburban religious educational programs were evaluated to determine if achievement and readiness for high school transition were the same for students with similar parent commitment and equivalent Catholic school program experiences but differing socioeconomic advantages. Following five consecutive years in their programs, urban and suburban 4th-grade pretest compared to 8th-grade posttest gains made by students (n = 56) demonstrated positive academic outcomes for both programs. As reflected by subject test scores and composite percentile rank scores, urban and suburban programs equally prepared students for posttest performance on achievement tests and unconditional 9th-grade acceptance into college preparatory Catholic High Schools. Regardless of the school\u27s demographic identification, the study results should encourage local policymakers and parents to continue their support for religious educational programs in the Omaha Archdiocese