Catholic Schools, Diversity and Equity in

Diversity in Catholic schools refers to diversity of the school community broadly defined, including ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and different learning abilities. As the largest private school system in the United States, Catholic schools serve a range of students, including those from diverse backgrounds. It is important for Catholic schools to consider issues of diversity and equity for educational reasons as well as to be congruent with their historical purpose and the best of the Catholic tradition. This entry discusses the context of diversity in Catholic schools, Catholic foundations for diversity and equity, and research that explores these issues in practice.