The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) is the largest private professional education association in the world. Committed to supporting Catholic educators and the teaching mission of the Catholic Church, NCEA provides resources and opportunities for ongoing faith formation. With a membership of nearly 140,000 educators serving 1.

6 million students in Catholic education, NCEA is dedicated to leading, learning, and proclaiming. NCEA focuses on developing current and future leaders, expanding professional development opportunities, and serving as the national voice for Catholic schools. They offer a wide range of educational resources and strategically designed programs to support the mission of Catholic education.

Their initiatives include the National Blue Ribbon Schools, National Catholic Academic Junior High Decathlon, NCEA Awards, and Religious Education Assessment Program. The history of NCEA dates back to 1904 when separate Catholic education organizations united as the Catholic Educational Association (CEA). In 1919, the establishment of the National Catholic War Council (NCWC) marked a new era for CEA, leading to the strong working relationship and independent cooperation that exists today