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, gathered from 169 diocesan offices, 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 number of elementary school-age children began to increase again during the current 1985-86 school year; (2) private education represents a higher percentage of elementary and secondary enrollment in the 1980's than it did in the 1970's; (3) Catholic schools today constitute a far smaller share of private education than they did in the 1960's; (4) the percentage of non-Catholics in Catholic schools increased to 11 percent in 1983-84; and (5) minority students in Catholic schools still exceed one-fifth of the total enrollment. (MLF)