Brooklyn Diocese Considers School Mergers, ClosuresBy NY1 News
At least 11 Catholic elementary schools could close in Brooklyn and Queens due to a lack of students.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn released a proposal Monday that would shutter the schools as part of a reorganization plan to boost enrollment.
The news of the closures came as a shock to students and parents.
"It would be very upsetting," said Our Lady of Perpetual Help student Robbie Shattah. "It's been our home for awhile. We love the school. We love the people here."
"This is not good news at all," said parent Michael McNulty. "This is a nice community in Bay Ridge. It's a shame that a place like this is closing."
"There are not a lot of schools around here," said student Adriano Sysa. "If it closes, kids will be out of a school or will have to go to a public school or something."
But officials from the Brooklyn Diocese say there have been signs for years that they'd have to rethink their education arm. After a review, the Diocese found its 109 schools were operating at only 85 percent capacity.
"Since 1998, the enrollment in Catholic schools was about 55,000," said Father Kieran Harrington of the Diocese of Brooklyn. "This year, it's about 37,000. That tells the story. "
Harrington says that steady decline started three years ago when 25 schools shut down. In following years, seven more have been shuttered.
"Fifteen percent of the seats in Catholic schools are unfilled," he said. "You can imagine that puts an enormous pressure on tuition. It's a vicious cycle that makes it very difficult for our schools to be accessible."
At Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Jackson Heights, enrollment dropped from 2,500 a few decades ago to just 180 now.
The plan recommends some schools be merged and four be created, but 11 would close.
In Brooklyn, the school closings would include:
Flatbush Catholic Academy
St. Vincent Ferrer
Most Precious Blood
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Our Lady of Angels
In Queens, the school closings would include:
St. Anthony of Padua
St. Benedict Joseph Labre
St. Catherine of Sienna
St. Aloysius
Blessed Sacrament
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn released a proposal Monday that would shutter the schools as part of a reorganization plan to boost enrollment.
The news of the closures came as a shock to students and parents.
"It would be very upsetting," said Our Lady of Perpetual Help student Robbie Shattah. "It's been our home for awhile. We love the school. We love the people here."
"This is not good news at all," said parent Michael McNulty. "This is a nice community in Bay Ridge. It's a shame that a place like this is closing."
"There are not a lot of schools around here," said student Adriano Sysa. "If it closes, kids will be out of a school or will have to go to a public school or something."
But officials from the Brooklyn Diocese say there have been signs for years that they'd have to rethink their education arm. After a review, the Diocese found its 109 schools were operating at only 85 percent capacity.
"Since 1998, the enrollment in Catholic schools was about 55,000," said Father Kieran Harrington of the Diocese of Brooklyn. "This year, it's about 37,000. That tells the story. "
Harrington says that steady decline started three years ago when 25 schools shut down. In following years, seven more have been shuttered.
"Fifteen percent of the seats in Catholic schools are unfilled," he said. "You can imagine that puts an enormous pressure on tuition. It's a vicious cycle that makes it very difficult for our schools to be accessible."
At Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Jackson Heights, enrollment dropped from 2,500 a few decades ago to just 180 now.
The plan recommends some schools be merged and four be created, but 11 would close.
In Brooklyn, the school closings would include:
Flatbush Catholic Academy
St. Vincent Ferrer
Most Precious Blood
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Our Lady of Angels
In Queens, the school closings would include:
St. Anthony of Padua
St. Benedict Joseph Labre
St. Catherine of Sienna
St. Aloysius
Blessed Sacrament
The plan goes up for approval next month.
Next year, the diocese may create three new schools and consolidate nine others. The plan would create 260 new jobs. Those who may be laid off would have seniority if they apply for any of those positions.
Next year, the diocese may create three new schools and consolidate nine others. The plan would create 260 new jobs. Those who may be laid off would have seniority if they apply for any of those positions.
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