Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence and provide students with more than an exceptional scholastic education; Whereas Catholic schools instill a broad, values-added education emphasizing the lifelong development of moral, intellectual, physical, and social values in young people in the United States; Whereas Catholic schools provide a high level of service to the United States by providing a diverse student population from all regions of the country and all socio-economic backgrounds, with 36.4 percent of students from ethnic and racial backgrounds and 17.4 percent of whom are non-Catholic, with a strong academic and moral foundation; Whereas Catholic schools are an affordable option for parents, particularly in underserved urban areas; Whereas Catholic schools produce students strongly dedicated to their faith, values, families, and communities by providing an intellectually stimulating environment rich in spiritual, character, and moral development; Whereas Catholic schools are committed to community service, producing graduates who hold “helping others” as one of their core values; Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 2015–2016 academic year was almost 2,000,000 and the student-teacher ratio was 13.1 to 1; Whereas Catholic schools educate a diverse population: 20.3 percent racial minorities; 16.1 percent Hispanic/Latino; 17.4 percent non-Catholic; Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 99 percent, with 87 percent of graduates attending 4-year colleges