This is part 4 of our 5-part series on commonly asked school choice questions. Read part 1, part 2 and part 3 here.
4. If Catholic schools accept voucher students, will they be able to maintain their Catholic identity? Will they have different admissions standards?
Stained glass window of Christ the Teacher in Allentown's Cathedral.
Nothing in SB 1 limits the authority of Catholic schools to be Catholic. Religious schools can continue to include religious content in their curriculum and do not have to excuse any student from participating in religious instruction or religious exercises. If it is their policy, religious schools can maintain their usual preferences in admissions or hiring on a religious basis.
EITC scholarship recipients are enrolled just as all other students. So too will voucher students be treated the same, assuming the Catholic school has a seat available and its educational program can meet the needs of the child.
You can read a Catholic’s Guide to school choice here. Add your voice to the chorus of school choice supporters. Visit, call, write or e-mail your state legislators and ask them to support the Opportunity Scholarship Act – SB 1.
