Enrollment Study Douglas County Catholic Schools February Presented by

Douglas County Population Estimate Source: Douglas County Community Development Department – 3/1/04

Douglas County Population Forecast Source: U.S. Census Bureau and DRCOG Estimates

Population by Age Groups in Douglas County Definition of Areas Castle Rock: Zip codes 80104, Castle Pines: Zip code Highlands Ranch/Lone Tree: Zip codes 80124, 80125, 80126, 80129, Parker – east: East of Jordan Rd., west of County Line, south of County Line, north of Stroh Rd. Parker – west: West of Jordan Rd., east of I-25, south of County Line, north of Stroh Rd.

Parish Households 2004

Demographics of Catholic Children

Religious Education Enrollment

Elementary School Enrollment K to 8

Survey Methodology Source for Database Compiled mailing list at Colorado Springs Diocese for all parish households in study area Requested mailing list from parishes in Archdiocese of Denver St. Thomas More Parish – received listSt. Thomas More Parish – received list Our Lady of Loreto Parish – received listOur Lady of Loreto Parish – received list St. Mary Parish – no listSt. Mary Parish – no list St. Francis Cabrini Parish – no listSt. Francis Cabrini Parish – no list

Survey Methodology Public Relations Two information meetings held. About 60 people attended. Bulletin announcements three weekends Press release Announcement at Mass in some parishes Website created – 990 visitors as of 1/6/05

Survey Methodology Methodology Random sample 61% of names Mailing of letter, brochure, card with access code Respondents log in with access code to take survey online

Response Rate

In which community do you live? CityRespondents Highlands Ranch 372 Parker344 Castle Rock 251 Lone Tree 46 Littleton41 Sedalia25 Aurora7 Franktown5 Other13

Age of Respondents

Income of Respondents

Number of Children Represented by Age Group Note: 22% of respondents did not have children under 18.

Where do your children attend school? Pre-KindergartenElementary School

Where do your children attend school? High School

If your children are not enrolled in a Catholic school, are they enrolled in a religious education program? With children 5 to 13 years of age With children 14 to 18 years of age 351 respondents107 respondents

Catholic schools make a contribution to the well-being of the Catholic Church. With children under 18Without children under 18

Catholic schools make a contribution to the well-being of the Catholic Church. With children enrolled in Catholic school With children not enrolled in Catholic school

Catholic schools are an effective way to help parents educate their children in the Catholic faith. With children under 18Without children under 18

Catholic schools are an effective way to help parents educate their children in the Catholic faith. With children enrolled in Catholic school With children not enrolled in Catholic school

Catholic schools are an essential part of parish life and ministry. With children under 18Without children under 18

Catholic schools are an essential part of parish life and ministry. With children enrolled in Catholic school With children not enrolled in Catholic school

Should new Catholic elementary schools be opened in Douglas County?

Should a new Catholic high school be opened in Douglas County?

Should Catholics in Douglas County be asked to support a capital campaign for new schools?

In addition to your regular giving to your parish, would you personally contribute to a capital campaign to build new Catholic schools?

How should parishes support Catholic schools in Douglas County? Note: Shows percent of respondents. More than one answer could be selected.

Before this survey, had you heard about the new organization called Douglas County Catholic Schools (DCCS)?

If yes, how did you hear about Douglas County Catholic Schools?

Respondents were given this information: Pre-kindergarten through 8th grade at Ave Maria Catholic School, Parker (established in 2000) Open a new school (pre-kindergarten through 8th grade) in Highlands Ranch near Pax Christi Parish (near McArthur Ranch Road and Quebec Street) Open a new school (pre-kindergarten through 8th grade) in Highlands Ranch at St. Mark Parish (at Highlands Ranch Parkway and Wildcat Reserve Parkway) Open a new school (pre-kindergarten through 8th grade) near Castle Rock (Castle Pines Parkway and Interstate 25) In the proposed plan for Douglas County Catholic Schools, there is the possibility of four Catholic elementary schools (pre-kindergarten through 8th grade). The plan proposes all these locations for Catholic elementary schools in the future:

Respondents were given this information: Tuition for a Catholic elementary school in Douglas County is $3,900 per student. Tuition assistance will be available to you if there is a need. TUITION When answering the next several questions, please assume:

For your children ages 0 to 4, where would you enroll your children for elementary school if you had the following choices?

If your first choice for a Catholic elementary school were not available, what would be your second choice? (for children ages 0 to 4)

Choice of Elementary School for Children Ages 0 to 4

How certain are you that you would enroll your children in a Catholic elementary school? (for children ages 0 to 4)

For your children ages 5 to 13, would you transfer your children to a new Catholic elementary school in Douglas County? Programming error resulted in this data not being valid.

The tuition for each student who enrolls in a new Catholic elementary school is expected to be $3,900 annually. Are you able to pay this tuition?

What is the maximum annual tuition you are able to pay for each of your children to attend a Catholic elementary school?

Family Household Income – 2004 Estimate

If you did not choose to enroll your children in a Catholic elementary school, indicate why: Percent of Respondents Note: Sorted for respondents with children ages 0 to 13

Where would you enroll your children for high school?

Catholic Schools

High School Enrollment School Year

High School Tuition Comparison School Year

Respondents were given this information: The proposed location is Chambers Road just south of E-470. The new Catholic high school would have tuition and fees of $7,800 per student. Tuition assistance will be available to you if there is a need. The plan for Douglas County Catholic Schools proposes a new Catholic high school. When answering the next several questions, assume:

If a new Catholic high school opened in Douglas County, would you enroll your children? Note: Sorted for respondents with children ages 5 to 13

If a new Catholic high school opened in Douglas County, would you enroll your children? Note: Sorted for respondents with children ages 5 to 13

Are you able to pay tuition of $7,800 for each student? Note: Sorted for respondents who answered “definitely yes” or “likely yes” to enrolling in a Catholic high school in Douglas County

If no, what is the maximum annual tuition you are able to pay for each of your children to attend a Catholic high school? Note: Sorted for respondents who answered “definitely yes” or “likely yes” to enrolling in a Catholic high school in Douglas County

Choice of High School for Children Ages 5 to 13

If you did not choose to enroll your children in a Catholic high school, indicate why: Percent of Respondents Note: Sorted for respondents who answered “likely no” or “definitely no” to enrolling in a Catholic high school in Douglas County

How important are each of the following factors when choosing a school for your children? Weighting Very Important 4 Somewhat Important 3 2 Not at all Important 1

How important are each of the following factors when choosing a school for your children?

Parishes

Recommended Methodology 1. Acquire address list directly from 4 Douglas County parishes. Lists pre-sorted for families with children 14 or younger. 2. Pre-survey letter and brochure mailed to sample group 3. Printed survey mailed with business reply envelope 4. Surveys returned directly to Meitler Consultants