Catholic School Students Score High on ACRE By Mrs. Cindy Williams, Director of Institutional Advancement

Eighty-five percent of the 5th grade students who took the ACRE this spring scored in the advanced or proficient level. Eighty-eight percent of the 8th graders and 67% of the 11th grades scored in the advanced or proficient level.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Orlando administer the Assessment of Catholic Religious Education (ACRE) in early spring each school year. Students in 5th, 8th, and 11th grades throughout the country take the assessment. The nine areas measured are Understanding of God, Church, Liturgy and Sacrament, Revelation/Scripture, Faith, Life in Christ, Church History, Prayer/Religious Practice, and Faith Literacy. In addition, the four pillars of the Church are assessed including Creed, Liturgy and Sacraments, Morality and Prayer.

The ACRE is an annual assessment used by most Catholic schools in the country to evaluate religion programs and students’ understanding of basic Catholic doctrine and beliefs. The assessment identifies if there are any gaps in the curriculum so changes can be made to enhance learning.