Top Catholic Academies 2026

A child's education is about more than grades and examinations. Top Catholic Academies bring together academic learning, faith-based values and opportunities for children to discover their interests. Alongside regular subjects, students learn the importance of compassion, respect, responsibility and helping others. Religious education, extracurricular activities and individual academic support also form part of the experience. These schools aim to create a community where children can build friendships, develop confidence and feel supported by their teachers and families as they grow.

Education Insider recognized St. Ephrem Catholic Academy in Brooklyn, New York, as a Top Catholic Academy 2026. The school serves children from Pre-K 3 through eighth grade. Under Principal Michael Phillips, it combines strong academic expectations with Catholic values, personalized learning support and a range of extracurricular activities. The academy places importance on helping children grow academically, socially and spiritually while maintaining close relationships between teachers, students and families.

Parents want their children to do well in school, but they also care about the kind of people they are becoming. Top Catholic Academies appeal to families looking for an education that gives equal attention to academic learning and values such as kindness, responsibility and service. A close-knit school community can be another important reason, especially for parents who want to be involved in their child's education. For many families, the appeal is knowing that their children's emotional, social and spiritual growth matters alongside their classroom achievements.

Every child has different strengths, interests and learning needs. Parents comparing Top Catholic Academies should look at academic programs, class sizes and the support available when children need extra help or more challenging work. Extracurricular activities in STEM, arts, languages and athletics can also give students opportunities to explore their interests. Families should consider how teachers communicate with parents and how the school prepares children for the next stage of education. A visit to the campus and conversations with educators can help parents understand whether the environment feels right for their child.

St. Ephrem Catholic Academy combines academic learning with individual attention and a strong sense of community. More than 65 students receive additional support, including services from specialized educators and occupational and physical therapists. Children can also explore hydroponics, robotics, chess, digital art and Spanish, while its STEM club brings together more than 60 students. The academy's community spirit is evident in a fundraiser that raised $12,000 for three families facing cancer. Over three years, it also welcomed 75 new families while maintaining reenrollment above 90 percent. These achievements supported its 2026 recognition from Education Insider.

Children often learn valuable lessons when they have the chance to experiment, create and apply what they study. Top Catholic Academies can offer these experiences through robotics, environmental science, digital literacy and hands-on projects alongside traditional subjects. Individual academic support helps students strengthen their skills, while older children may have opportunities to explore advanced coursework, financial literacy and high school preparation. These activities give students room to discover new interests, develop practical skills and build confidence. They also allow Catholic schools to embrace new approaches to learning while continuing to teach the values at the heart of their education.