Archdiocese of Newark announces 8 Catholic schools will not reopen this fall in wake of COVID-19 Pandemic
Offers Transition Support for Students, Families, Faculty and Staff
In response to the urgent need to address enrollment loss and growing financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Schools of the Archdiocese of Newark has announced that five elementary schools will not reopen this fall and three elementary schools will consolidate with nearby school communities.
The Office of Schools and the Finance Office of the Archdiocese have been monitoring and evaluating projected enrollment, increasing financial fragility, and the level of support these schools would require since they were already experiencing formidable challenges prior to the pandemic.
Noting that funding resources for Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese were critically reduced since the outbreak of COVID-19 and that paid registrations for the 2020-2021 school year are dramatically reduced, the Office of Schools and Finance Office agreed that the current status of some schools is unsustainable. Consequently, they presented recommendations to Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, who approved the following:
The following schools will not reopen:
– Transfiguration Academy, Bergenfield
– St. Joseph Academy, Bogota
– The Academy of St. Mary, Rutherford
– St. Francis Xavier, Newark
– Ironbound Catholic Academy, Newark
The following school communities will consolidate:
– St. Joseph of the Palisades, West New York, will welcome the school communities of Mother Seton in Union City and St. Augustine School in Union City to their campus.
– St. Joseph the Carpenter, Roselle, will welcome Our Lady of Guadalupe in Elizabeth to their campus.
In accepting the recommendations, Cardinal Tobin stated, “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. Our schools represent communities that offer vital faith formation for children. The difficult decision to further consolidate our Catholic Schools follows considerable discussion and examination of their viability under the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Education remains a crucial element in the life and mission of this Archdiocese.”
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, school principals, teachers, and school families were informed of the decisions through online meetings and email correspondence and will receive continuing support during this transition. Families affected by the closures are encouraged to enroll in nearby Catholic schools and are offered assistance with the transition, including tuition assistance for the 2020-2021 school year. Career resources and support, including assistance in identifying possible employment opportunities elsewhere in the archdiocese, will be provided for affected faculty and staff members.
The pandemic makes ongoing vigilance necessary and the Schools Office will continue to assess needs and implement best practices for our Catholic schools and partner with pastors and principals to monitor and evaluate enrollment and finances.
Cardinal Tobin expresses the gratitude of the Archdiocese for the exceptional contributions of teachers, staff, principals, and pastors who dedicate themselves to educating students in the Catholic faith as well as the families and communities who work persistently in support of the archdiocesan schools.
“We pray for all those impacted by these trying circumstances and pledge ongoing support for those who need it,” said Cardinal Tobin. “Together, we will find a sustainable model for Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Newark.”
About the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Newark
Composed of 58 elementary schools and 23 secondary schools, the Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Newark serve over 25,000 students across Bergen, Hudson, Essex, 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.