The National Catholic Educational Association's historical data (since 1968-69) and current data on schools are presented and their significance and implications discussed. The data include national population, birth rate, and age trends; enrollment trends in public and private schools; and enrollment trends in private schools by religious affiliation. Catholic school statistics include enrollment trends by level, region, type of school, and ethnic composition; pupil teacher ratios; staff employed; and financial data. The report highlights state that (1) the total number of students at public and private schools will continue to decline until the 1990's; (2) private education represents a higher percentage of enrollment in the 1980's than it did in the 1970's; (3) Catholic school enrollments today constitute a smaller share of private education than they did in the 1960's; (4) the percentage of minority students and non-Catholic students in Catholic schools continues to increase; and (5) although Catholic school faculty increased in 1983-84, the pupil teacher ratio declined at the elementary level but remained the same at the secondary level. (MLF)