Abstract

This study gives an account of the transformation of Catholic Schools in Latin America in the years after the Vatican Council (1970-2015). Mainly, it looks into changes in their enrolment, and more importantly, in how the Catholic primary and secondary educational subsystem has varied in its shared participation within the national education systems of which they are part. By using quantitative methods, this study presents evidence that is significant for understanding the trends followed by Catholic Schools in several Latin American countries, and Latin America as a region. When facing major criticism because of the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, this evidence may serve the purpose of valuing what this apostolate means and how it needs to change in the future.