Replies

Having seen a large number of Catholic and other schools at work, I would say that the primary advantage, in terms of absolute performance, Catholic and other private schools have is that they take a better "slice" of the school age population. On average, the fact that tuition is charged filters out most of the underclass or would-be underclass. You get a similar effect by moving between school districts. This effect is pretty well understood, and is even quite predictable, mathematically, using tools like the California DOE SCI index.

On top of that, though, there are specific effects of private schools, unfortunately these are not easy to quantify if at all, as there is little useful comparative testing done in private schools.

The first is the fact that private schools and Catholic schools do not accept difficult students, and can expel students if necessary. This gives them a huge advantage in productivity.

The second is that there is a much more pragmatic approach to curriculum, and faddishness there tends to be either limited or applies only to populations who won't be hurt much by it.

I was sent to a Catholic Prep school back in the sixties, a test school, if you passed you were accepted. We had a lot of Jewish students, and a lone Protastant, me, it was hard.

The courses were, 4 years Latin, two of a modern language along with the Latin, 4 years math, 3 years History, 4 years English, Civics, two science electivs and religion, exempt, if you were Jewish plus the usual rat propiganda.

The first is the fact that private schools and Catholic schools do not accept difficult students, and can expel students if necessary. This gives them a huge advantage in productivity. That's a fair statement. I agree. And those who are there have parents who have made an investment in their future.

The second is that there is a much more pragmatic approach to curriculum, and faddishness there tends to be either limited or applies only to populations who won't be hurt much by it. Please see my post 37. This is vitally important.

However, eternal vigilance--esp. since we are mired in this putrescence all around us.