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 Nation 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 non-Catholic, 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 is 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; Whereas in the 1972 pastoral message concerning Catholic education, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops stated, Education is one of the most important ways by which the Church fulfills its commitment to the dignity of the person and building of community. Community is central to education ministry, both as a necessary condition and an ardently desired goal. The educational efforts of the Church, therefore, must be directed to forming persons-in-community