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 serve the Nation by providing a diverse student population from all regions of the country and all socioeconomic backgrounds a strong academic and moral foundation, including 39 percent of students from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and 19 percent from non-Catholic families; 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 among their core values; Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 2018–2019 academic year was almost 1,800,000 and the student-teacher ratio was 12 to 1; Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 99 percent, with 86 percent of graduates attending 4-year colleges