The Catholic Archdiocese of New York says it is closing 12 schools at the end of the 2022-23 academic year.
The Archdiocese says in a news release that shifting demographics and lower enrollment, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, have made the affected schools no longer financially viable.
“It is never a good day when we announce closures to any of our beloved schools, but the goal is always to strengthen the remaining institutions and preserve Catholic education in New York for decades to come,” says Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York. “We are doing everything we can to minimize the impact this will have on families and will provide both educational guidance and pastoral support to all those affected to ensure all children will be warmly welcomed into a nearby Catholic school.”
The following schools will not reopen:
- Manhattan: Academy of St. Paul & St. Ann; Ascension School; Guardian Angel School; Immaculate Conception School; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs.
- Bronx: Holy Family School; Immaculate Conception School; Santa Maria School; St. Angela Merici School; St. Brendan School; St. Margaret Mary School
- Staten Island: St. Christopher School.
In addition to the closings, St. Francis Xavier in the Bronx will merge with St. Clare of Assisi, and St. Gabriel School in the Bronx will merge with St. Margaret of Cortona.
The Archdiocese of New York says it serves 53,000 students across 170 schools in nine counties and boroughs throughout New York.
