How EdTech Vendors Can Identify the Right Faith-Based Schools for Outreach | EducationDataLists

For a more recent example within a specific segment, the National Catholic Educational Association’s 2024–25 statistical report announcement, published in April 2025, reported 5,852 Catholic schools serving 1,683,506 students in the United States.

These figures illustrate the scale of one faith-based school segment, but they should not be extrapolated to all religious schools or treated as a count of potential EdTech buyers. Vendors still need to determine which institutions fit their product, geography, and commercial model.

A practical research workflow is to:

1. Identify the school categories that match the product.
2. Build an initial institution list from credible education-sector sources.
3. Confirm each school's current status and official website.
4. Review the school’s existing technology, programs, and publicly stated priorities.
5. Verify relevant professional contacts before outreach.

This approach helps marketers distinguish a school that merely fits a demographic category from one with a plausible business need.

3. Identify the Right Decision-Maker at Each School

Finding the correct institution is only half the task. EdTech purchases can involve several stakeholders, and the person who uses a product may not be the person who approves its purchase.

Depending on the product and school structure, relevant contacts may include:

• Head of school or principal
• Technology director or IT administrator
• Curriculum director or academic leader
• Admissions or enrollment director
• Business manager or finance leader
• Department head or classroom educator
• Network-level or diocesan technology administrator

For example, a vendor selling classroom learning software may need input from teachers and curriculum leaders, while a cybersecurity provider may need to speak with IT leadership. A platform intended for multiple schools in a network may require engagement with a central administrative office.

The NCEA’s 2024–25 Catholic school figures demonstrate the importance of understanding organizational scale: thousands of schools operate within this one segment alone. However, the number of schools does not establish that all use the same procurement model.

When evaluating a Religious Schools Mailing List, check whether it distinguishes school-level contacts from network-level administrators and includes useful role information. Verify titles against official school websites or other credible institutional sources. Do not assume that a principal controls every technology decision or that a technology contact has budget authority.