'Xperience the Difference of Xavier Catholic Schools

The following is a guest column from Xavier Catholic Schools President, Chris McCarville, which was published in the January 26, 2025 edition of The Gazette.

Recently, the Iowa Catholic Conference (ICC) released statewide Catholic school enrollment statistics for this school year (2024-2025). That data clearly demonstrates a trend that certainly doesn’t fit the narrative many who oppose school choice often claim. ESAs and school choice have undoubtedly opened the doors for more families to choose an education which best serves their unique needs. 

Here locally in Cedar Rapids and Marion, within Xavier Catholic Schools (XCS), our enrollment number echoes the statewide trend. Here are just a few examples for this school year system-wide: 

• Free and reduced students grew 4% from last year, to 17% of our total enrollment

• Non-white students now comprise 21% of our total enrollment 

• English language learners grew to 5% of our total enrollment

• 100 XCS students have an IEP 

• 61% of our families utilized an ESA

Within XCS, we’ve observed first-hand the life-changing effects our schools have had for our students because of ESAs. Far too often, politics or false talking points get the spotlight. Unfortunately, rarely, the spotlight is placed on reality. And that reality is many families and students are thriving and having a better educational experience of what school choice and an ESA affords them. 

It goes without saying we are thrilled more and more families in Cedar Rapids and Marion are choosing our schools. But that joy does not come solely from increased enrollment. Our mission within Xavier Catholic Schools is different. And within that difference lies what is at the heart of our joy.

The mission of the Xavier Catholic School system is to form disciples unafraid to follow Jesus Christ. In a world which seems to abandon more and more Jesus’ messages of love, forgiveness and compassion, our schools are solidly centered on an education that incorporates these truths. These truths do not make us perfect or make us better, but without question, our focus on these truths make us unique. This uniqueness allows our schools to focus on the whole child in an amazing way.  And I’d argue, this focus and uniqueness is perhaps the real reason we’ve seen an increase in families choosing our schools. ESAs allow families to choose schools that best fit their child's needs and family values.

As we begin national Catholic Schools Week, we most certainly give thanks for so many new faces who are now able to experience what we have to offer. While the “who” of XCS may be changing, our “what” remains rock solid. And that “what” is an education centered on truth and the whole child.

Our schools are open to all and we’d love to show you firsthand this reality. We invite you to experience what so many other families have recently discovered. Xavier Catholic Schools are affordable, welcoming and more times than not, truly life-changing. Give us a call, we’d love to show you around.