Students across the Diocese of Raleigh Catholic Schools are posting exceptional academic results, according to Spring 2026 i-Ready diagnostic data that shows students significantly outpacing their peers on both national and state levels in mathematics and reading.
The data reveals that 47% of Diocese students are performing at or above grade level in math, compared to 32% nationally and 32% across North Carolina. The gap is even more pronounced in reading, where 59% of Diocese students are scoring at or above grade level, well ahead of the 38% national norm and 35% state average. Diocese students are also far less likely to be falling behind: just 23% are one or more grade levels behind in math and 18% behind in reading, compared to roughly 40–47% of students nationally and statewide.
"These results reflect what happens when dedicated teachers, engaged families, and a strong academic foundation come together," said Michael Mastrocinque, Director of Instruction for the Diocese of Raleigh Catholic Schools. "Our students aren't just meeting expectations — they're exceeding them at a level that puts them well ahead of their peers across the state and the country. This is a direct result of the hard work happening in our classrooms every single day, and it reaffirms our commitment to academic excellence rooted in the Catholic tradition."
Diocese leaders note that the strong performance spans both subjects and reflects consistent, systemwide progress rather than results concentrated in a single school or grade level. School officials say the data will help guide continued instructional planning as the Diocese works to build on this momentum in the upcoming school year.
Data source: i-Ready Spring 2026 Diagnostic results, Diocese of Raleigh Catholic Schools.
Anna Bragg is the director of marketing and enrollment management for the Diocese of Raleigh’s Catholic Schools Office.