In a shocking turn of events, seven Catholic schools across New York City have announced they will shut down by summer. This comes after 13 others already closed since the pandemic. Experts point to two major factors: skyrocketing tuition and a growing disconnect from religion.
Tuition skyrockets, enrollment plummets
Catholic schools in NYC are facing tough times. Tuition fees have soared, making education unaffordable for many families. Meanwhile, enrollment has dropped by an astonishing 23% in the past five years. That’s about 11,500 students lost across the city.
Many schools simply can’t survive this double blow. The situation is especially grim in The Bronx, where five of the seven schools closing this month are located. These include the historic Immaculate Conception School, which has been operating for 177 years.
The Bronx takes the hardest hit
The Bronx has seen the steepest decline in Catholic school enrollment. In 2018-2019, the borough had around 13,400 Catholic students. Now, that number has fallen to just 8,000. Among the schools closing are Our Lady of Refuge, St. Lucy School, Sacred Heart, and All Hallows High School. The Archdiocese of New York confirmed these closures this month.
The pandemic’s brief optimism fizzles out
The pandemic provided a brief glimmer of hope for Catholic schools. With public schools switching to remote learning, Catholic schools stayed open. Families turned to religious schools for in-person education. But as the pandemic ended, the appeal faded, and enrollment plummeted again.
Since then, 11 elementary schools and two high schools in Brooklyn and Queens have shut their doors. Four more schools in Staten Island and The Bronx merged due to shrinking student numbers.
More schools close as enrollment declines
Not all closures are in The Bronx. This summer, St. Mark the Evangelist, an elementary school in Harlem, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy in Sunset Park will also shut down. The latter school has faced financial problems and declining enrollment for years.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help saw its enrollment drop by half in the last five years. This year, only 85 students are enrolled from kindergarten through eighth grade.
The struggle for survival
Some Catholic schools are finding new ways to survive. Fontbonne Hall, an all-girls school in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, expanded its grades to include sixth through eighth. This was done to absorb students from Visitation, a school that closed last June.
Meanwhile, Mary Louis Academy in Queens is exploring a similar model. But, the school has not confirmed whether its declining enrollment is the main reason behind its decision.
The price of private education
At the heart of the crisis is the rising cost of tuition. In 2025, tuition at high schools like Fontbonne Hall will reach $16,000, not including fees. That’s up from $13,330 in 2020. The high cost of private education is a huge burden for many families.
DiNardo, director of the Institute for Catholic Schools, points out that parents are paying for public education through taxes and then paying again for Catholic school tuition. This double financial burden is becoming too much for many families.
Vouchers could save the day
To help Catholic schools survive, experts like DiNardo are calling for school vouchers. These are government-funded certificates that allow students to attend private schools using public money. However, New York State does not have a school voucher program, leaving Catholic schools without a crucial financial lifeline.
The Archdiocese of New York does offer some financial assistance, but it’s not enough to make up for the lack of state support.
Declining religious ties make matters worse
Beyond money, there’s another problem: the declining role of religion in daily life. As James Wolfinger, a professor at St. John’s University, explains, Catholic schools once thrived because they were deeply tied to local parishes. But today, fewer families are connected to the Church.
This loss of religious affiliation is hurting Catholic schools, especially when parents are already grappling with the high costs of living and inflation. Public schools, with their minimal fees, are looking more attractive to families.
The future of Catholic schools in New York City is uncertain. As tuition climbs and religion fades from daily life, many families are finding it harder to justify the cost. Without financial relief, more schools may close in the coming years. But the demand for a Catholic school education still exists, even if it’s becoming less accessible.
