PHILADELPHIA, PA — Fifty of the region’s highest-achieving parochial school students were named 2026 Neumann Scholars this past week, securing four-year, full-tuition scholarships to any Philadelphia Archdiocesan high school. Ten of this year’s winners hail from Chester County, marking one of the strongest showings in the area’s recent history.
The awards, funded by more than $1.9 million from the Connelly Foundation, recognize academically exceptional eighth graders from 35 parochial schools across the five-county region. Each scholarship covers the full cost of high school tuition — currently averaging nearly $9,930 per year — representing roughly $40,000 per student over four years.
Since the Neumann Scholars Program launched in 1995, the Foundation has provided nearly $22 million in scholarships to 1,232 students.
“This program stands as a testament to the importance of investing in students,” said Tom Riley, Chair of the Board of Trustees and President of the Connelly Foundation. Riley said the scholars’ “dedication to personal growth and academic excellence sets a strong example,” adding that expanding access to Catholic education helps prepare future leaders.
Competition for the scholarships remains steep. This year, 518 eligible students from 99 parochial schools sat for the standardized exam, administered in late September. From that group, 50 were selected — including the following ten students from Chester County:
- Isabel Baas, St. Agnes School
- Abigail Callaghan, Holy Family School
- Katherine East, St. Patrick School
- Anne Grous, St. Norbert School
- Julia Hydutsky, St. Agnes School
- Grace Kinsch, St. Joseph School
- Caroline Miller, St. Patrick School
- Angelo Nerozzi, Pope John Paul II School
- Kylie Pearson, St. Agnes School
- John Pham, St. Agnes School
Saint Agnes School in West Chester and Saint Pius X School in Broomall recorded the most scholarship recipients this year, with four students each. One scholar earned the highest score in the region, one student achieved a perfect reading score, and three achieved perfect math scores. Two awardees have siblings who are past recipients.
To qualify for consideration, students needed a seventh-grade Terra Nova score of 90 or higher — or a cognitive skills index of 120 — along with a GPA of at least 90. Additional intent forms ensured that competing students sought scholarship placement.
The Connelly Foundation’s program has produced consistently strong outcomes. Among past recipients, the college acceptance rate remains 100 percent, with nearly $220 million in higher-education scholarships offered to graduates. The program has also yielded 125 National Merit Finalists, two National Merit Semi-Finalists, and 250 National Merit Commended Students. The average SAT score among Neumann Scholars is 1435.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Catholic Education highlighted broader academic momentum across the region’s Catholic schools. Sixty-two schools earned Distinguished Instruction honors in 2025, reflecting both academic growth and strong performance relative to potential. The Archdiocese continues to offer multiple forms of financial assistance to support families seeking Catholic education.
With this year’s announcement, the 50 new Neumann Scholars join 126 current recipients enrolled in Archdiocesan high schools throughout the region.
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