Archdiocese Announces Three More Catholic School Closures in Hudson Valley, NYC
NEW YORK—Following up on last month’s announcement of seven Catholic school closures in the New York metro region, the Superintendent of Schools Office for the Archdiocese of New York has reported three additional school closures—one in Westchester County, one in Orange County and another in Manhattan.
The three schools to close at the end of the current academic year are the Incarnation School in Manhattan, Sacred Heart School in Hartsdale, and Most Precious Blood School in Walden.
Two additional schools will undergo campus consolidations. The St. Anthony-St. Paul School in Nanuet/Valley Cottage will consolidate from two locations to one campus at St. Anthony Parish in Nanuet, and Transfiguration School in Manhattan, which was announced earlier this year by the parish and school, will consolidate from three locations to two sites.
“These decisions were made after extensive reflection, study, and prayer, as we face significant challenges that make it impossible to continue our mission at these locations,” Superintendent of Schools Office for the Archdiocese of New York Sr. Mary Grace Walsh wrote in a March 16th letter to pastors, principals, and school leaders. “It is our hope that all students will continue their Catholic school education in one of our other Catholic schools. Principals and enrollment teams will work with families in the months ahead to ensure a smooth transition.”
The closures are part of the Archdiocese’s ongoing School Renewal process. Last month, the Archdiocese of Brooklyn announced seven Catholic school closures this June: Sacred Heart Catholic Academy, Cambria Heights; St. Bartholomew Catholic Academy in Elmhurst; St. Nicholas of Tolentine Catholic Academy in Jamaica; Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens Village; St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Academy in Woodhaven; St. Elizabeth Catholic Academy in Ozone Park and Our Lady of Trust Catholic Academy in Canarsie.
The February closures were promoted by severe declines in student enrollment.
Among the key initiatives of the ongoing School Renewal process is strengthening Catholic identity and faith formation and expansion of STREAM programs. Seven schools will become STREAM education centers (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Math), providing hands-on, faith-centered learning experiences. Other components of the process include collaboration with the Latino Engagement Institute through the University of Notre Dame that will expand to reach more schools and families, expansion of Special Education services and planned capital investments.
