The Students

The Philadelphia area has one of the most diverse student populations in the country, and the 85,000 students who attend the schools represent every neighborhood, ethnic group and religious background. At some schools, more than 25 nationalities are represented.
Likewise, students come from all income levels. In the inner city and some first ring suburbs, many of the students live at or below the poverty level. Their parents sacrifice in order to send their children to a Catholic school with the dream that they will have a better future, and for many, a scholarship from BLOCS is the only way a private school education is possible. Here are just a few facts about the students attending the Elementary and Secondary Schools:

• Graduation Rate of 99%
• College Matriculation Rate of 94%
• Daily Attendance rate of over 96%
• Over $200 million in scholarships awarded to Class of 2009
• Standardized test scores above the national average in every grade

The Catholic Schools are meeting the challenge of educating a highly diverse student body, and the results speak for themselves. With such a significant impact, it is abundantly clear how an investment in BLOCS yields high returns for our donors and for a greater Philadelphia.