Faith in the Future Foundation, which operates the archdiocesan high schools and schools of special education, said in a joint statement with the archdiocese that a committee of business executives had analyzed the high schools last summer to gauge sustainability as part of a strategic planning process.
The group studied current and projected student enrollments, student retention, demographic trends, capacity of buildings and financial solvency for each of the 17 schools and across the system. Both schools have seen significant enrollment declines since they peaked at around 2, students 50 years ago, which have accelerated since Enrollment is expected to continue declining, according to Faith in the Future.
Our strong focus is on the future of Catholic secondary education in Philadelphia, ensuring it remains accessible and affordable for all. Bishop McDevitt also is home to a secondary-level program of Our Lady of Confidence Day School for 13 special education students with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays.
Those students and their program supports and faculty will continue at a new location. Every summer, the students mark the end of the school year by jumping into the fountain at nearby Logan Square. The closure of any Catholic school is deeply painful, most especially for the students, teachers, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters so intimately connected to them.
I share in that grief. Understanding that this moment is one of extreme difficulty, I pledge that we will provide every possible assistance during this transition and that the rich legacy of these schools will be upheld. Given circumstances, those resources were depleting rapidly and could not be restored.
My prayers are with all of you and my heartfelt gratitude goes out to our school families for choosing the gift of Catholic education as well as the faculty, administrators, and staff working each day to provide it. The decision was not directly caused by the COVID pandemic, but the archdiocese said the uncertainty created by the public health crisis accelerated the move. Many families who had never received financial aid are now receiving support. This increase has resulted in a significant strain on available financial aid resources, especially in schools that are heavily dependent upon tuition assistance.
The remainder of the school year will continue as normal at both schools. Affected elementary schools and high schools are planning more meetings. Small parishes such as St. George are trying to find ways to raise money so that they can keep their doors open.
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