Why are Catholic Schools Failing in Brooklyn?
Catholic supporters will tell you that it’s the recession. But that’s not it.
Catholic schools in NYC continue to close. Masses at churches are barely filled. Yet, the Catholic Church doesn’t seem to realize that the root of the problem is not the recession.
The church is not meeting the needs of the people.I was raised a Catholic and went to Catholic school for twelve years. I even started my career as a teacher by working in two Catholic Schools in Brooklyn. In 1995, I worked at St. Cecilia School in Greenpoint Brooklyn. It was an incredible school. Of course, it didn’t have the numbers that high stakes schools had, but it had the right atmosphere for kids to be kids. Sister Miriam Daniel was the finest principal I have ever known. She was a wonderful person and she always had a kind word to say to everyone. The enrollment of the school was over 420 in 1995. It dwindled down to a little over 200 last year and was closed as a result. The school accepted learning disabled children who brought the high states test scores down so it couldn’t compete with other schools. Yet, it had the right amount of learning and fun for a kid.
So is enrollment down because of the recession? Maybe a little, but the reality is that Catholic schools have been closing down in NYC for the last decade because parents don’t find the value of these schools when public school counterparts are equal or better than the Catholic schools. Parents who went to Catholic school are looking for the feel of community in Catholic school, but they also want the school to be able to compete academically.When I was a child, public education wasn’t strong in NYC, but things have changed. Not only do public schools have strong curricula, but many are very safe as well.
So what does Catholic school have to offer families?
- small classrooms – many do offer this, but only because their enrollment is so low
- a Catholic education – many friends who are parents loved the “community feel” of Catholic school, but they aren’t sure if it is “worth the money”
What can Catholic schools do differently to attract more students?
- Build a stronger curriculum
- Work on test-taking skills
- Offer a special school/sports program (yes a built in program) because many public schools lack sports programs
- Offer a special art or computer program. Make it huge….word will spread.
If Catholic schools continue to operate the same way, most will probably close within the next five or six years.
Hugs,
marlene
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