by Guest Blogger
For those of us who have dedicated our lives to Christian education, there's always been this deep-rooted conviction that it has the power to truly transform students’ lives. We’ve witnessed it firsthand: the way it shapes character, cultivates faith, and prepares students for life beyond the classroom. But, up until 2011, there wasn’t much hard data to support these heartfelt beliefs. That all changed when a game-changing study was conducted.
In 2011, the Cardus Group, a Canadian think tank, launched the groundbreaking Cardus Education Survey. This massive research project became the world’s largest survey exploring the outcomes of a national sample group of students ages 24-39 who attended public schools, private religious schools (Christian & Catholic), non-religious independent schools, and those who were homeschooled. It wasn’t just a one-time study—it was repeated in 2014, 2018, and 2023, revealing some powerful insights.
So, what did the survey reveal? Some of the most striking findings centered around faith formation. Students who attended Christian schools reported higher levels of spiritual and civic engagement than the other peers in the study:
They held a strong belief in God and life after death.
They were committed to regular practices like prayer, Bible study, and church attendance.
They were more likely to donate to nonprofit charities, regardless of income level.
They showed a significantly higher level of engagement in volunteer work.
And a notable improvement since the initial 2011 study, graduates of Christian schools reported feeling better prepared for college and their careers than those from public schools.
These findings are a powerful affirmation of what we’ve always known in our hearts: Christian education doesn’t just teach students—it can transform them. It equips them to live lives of purpose, service, and faith. Now that’s a great return on your investment!
Link to Survey
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