The combination of declining enrollment and dwindling money in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis means five more New Jersey Catholic elementary schools will not reopen this fall while another three will be merged into other schools, the Archdiocese of Newark announced Tuesday.
The number of families signing up for the 2020-2021 school year dropped “dramatically” as funding to local parishes declined, making it unrealistic to reopen the schools, church officials said.
The schools that are closing are:
— Transfiguration Academy, in Bergenfield
— St. Joseph Academy, in Bogota
— The Academy of St. Mary, in Rutherford
— St. Francis Xavier, in Newark
— Ironbound Catholic Academy, in Newark
The schools that are merging are:
— St. Augustine School and Mother Seton, both in Union City, will merge into the campus of St. Joseph of the Palisades, in West New York.
— Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Elizabeth, will merge into the campus of St. Joseph the Carpenter, in Roselle.
“I recognize that this news is profoundly painful for our students and their families, teachers and principals, school communities, and those who support Catholic education, as well as for our archdiocesan community. I extend my prayers and support to all those affected,” said Cardinal Jospeh Tobin, head of the Archdiocese of Newark.
Catholic schools nationwide have been struggling since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Tuesday’s announcement means at least 19 New Jersey Catholic schools will not open this fall statewide and at least another five are being folded into nearby schools. The dioceses of Camden and Trenton previously announced closures and mergers.
The temporary suspension of church services in New Jersey dramatically reduced weekly collection plate donations at Catholic churches, but it is difficult to gauge how severe the financial blow has been for schools.
Most local Catholic schools are supported by a mix of tuition money and subsidies from their parishes and the diocese. Maintaining enrollment remains the key to schools remaining in the black.
In New Jersey, all five of the Catholic dioceses received federal taxpayer-funded loans to help pay their employees through a federal program designed to help keep small businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.
In the Archdiocese of Newark, those affected by the most recent closure announcements were informed via online meetings and email. Families were encouraged to enroll at Catholic schools in neighboring communities and some were offered help paying tuition for the new school year, church officials said.
Teachers and school staff losing their jobs were also offered help in finding new positions, including possible jobs within the archdiocese.
“We pray for all those impacted by these trying circumstances and pledge ongoing support for those who need it,” Tobin said. “Together, we will find a sustainable model for Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Newark.”
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Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com.
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