This study examines the effect of religious schools onacademic aspirations in a developing world context.Data from 21Catholic, evangelical and secular private schools in Guatemala are used to compare student aspirations in each school type. Hierarchical linear models are constructed to examine differences controlling for keytheoretical determinants. Results reveal that surprisingly high percentages of private school children in the sample (75%) aspire to complete university.School comparisons demonstrate that evangelical school students(particularly girls) are more likely than students from other private schools to aspire to attend university. Theoretical and practical implications for development are discussed.