According to enrollment figures, the number of students being enrolled in Catholic schools across the state of Louisiana has fallen 18 percent over the last 13 years.

The National Catholic Educational Association figures show that enrollment in schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge has fallen 9 percent since the year 2000.  The current number of students enrolled in schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge is 15,201.  That number was 16,784 in the year 2000.

The superintendent for the diocese of Baton Rouge, Melanie Verges, says there are multiple factors that played into the numbers going down.

Verges says economic conditions, more magnet schools, more charter schools and shifting populations are some of the reasons the enrollment numbers are down.

The numbers also show that enrollment in catholic schools that are part of the Archdiocese of New Orleans has fallen 25 percent.  Part of the reason for enrollment having dropped in that area is because of population losses after Hurricane Katrina.

More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL