Faced with declining enrollment and significant financial shortfalls, two elementary schools in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, N.J., will close in June.
The diocese says Pope John Paul II Regional School in Willingboro, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Schoolin Maple Shade, which has 125 students, both fall well below the 220-student benchmark cited as necessary for financial sustainability.
Pope John Paul II Regional School was established in 2006 as part of a comprehensive restructuring plan for Burlington County. The K-8 school is adjacent to Corpus Christi Church.
The four area parishes who were the original sponsors of the regional school model have experienced change; some have been involved in parish mergers, and others have faced their own financial challenges. As a result, funding from the sponsoring parishes has eroded, and the school’s support from the diocese has risen to about $2.5 million.
“It is difficult to close any Catholic school because of the values promoted and the environment provided," says JoAnn Tier, diocesan superintendent of schools. "Sadly, Pope John Paul II Regional School is no longer sustainable.”
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, also a K-8 campus, has been open since 1928, but has experienced a steady decline in enrollment over the past five years.
The parish and school together have accumulated a $4.8 million debt to the diocese, and the parish is no longer able to cover the financial shortfall brought about by low enrollment.
“Our school has brought so much life into our community throughout its long and faithful legacy," says Father Joel Wilson, pastor. "Our hearts are heavy as we acknowledge these financial difficulties and the inevitability of this decision.”
The diocese’s Department of Catholic Schools will be working with the two schools to help students find other Catholic schools to attend.
