Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence and provide approximately 1,700,000 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 United States by providing a diverse student population from all regions of the United States and all socioeconomic backgrounds with a strong academic and moral foundation, including 21.5 percent of students from racial minority backgrounds, 18.6 percent from Hispanic heritage, and 20.3 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 2022–2023 academic year is 1,700,000, and the student-teacher ratio is 11 to 1; Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 98.9 percent, with 85.2 percent of graduates attending 4-year colleges; Whereas the week of January 29, 2023, to February 4, 2023, has been designated as National Catholic Schools Week by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Whereas National Catholic Schools Week was first established in 1974 and has been celebrated annually for the past 49 years