Aquinas Academy in Livingston, Visitation Academy in Paramus to Close at End of Academic Year
The Office of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Newark announced that Aquinas Academy in Livingston and Visitation Academy in Paramus will permanently close. The closure of both schools will be effective on June 30, 2025, at the conclusion of the 2024 – 2025 academic year.
The difficult decision to close both institutions was made after careful consideration and review of both schools’ financial positions amid steadily declining student enrollment.
“We recognize the impact of this news on students, families, faculty, and the entire school communities at both Aquinas Academy and Visitation Academy, both of which leave behind strong and decades-long legacies of faith and academic excellence,” said Barbara Dolan, Superintendent of Catholic Schools. “Moving forward, our goal is to honor these extraordinary legacies while continuing to support students and families and all of those affected by these difficult but necessary closures.”
The Office of Catholic Schools is committed to ensuring a compassionate and supportive transition for all affected, including working closely with families to identify alternative Catholic school options and providing tuition assistance for eligible students.
To assist students and parents during this transition, both schools will host informational meetings to provide guidance on alternative educational opportunities, resources and next steps for the upcoming academic year. The information sessions at each school will be scheduled for the week of April 28.
In addition, the Office of Catholic Schools will support faculty and staff by identifying potential opportunities for impacted teachers and staff within its own network of Catholic schools, as well as providing resources and support in the pursuit of open roles at neighboring institutions.
About the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Newark
The 67 Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Newark serve almost 22,000 students across Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties. Acting in the spirit of the Gospel and in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church, our schools have successfully prepared a diverse population of students, shaping futures and cultivating leadership for over a century. To learn more about the Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Newark, visit www.CatholicSchoolsNJ.org.