For the past 20 years, enrollment in private schools has been in a steady decline, with finances as the primary cause. Now, with the coronavirus, these schools are closing across the United States.
The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) have been studying the current situation. They collaborate with Catholic teachers to continue the Church's mission in private schools.
DALE MCDONALD
Director Educational Research, NCEA
“Many middle income families are no longer able to afford the tuition, which, on average is about $5,000 for elementary school students and more than $12,000 for secondary.”
These families earn too much to qualify for aid, but not enough to afford tuition. Yet, many schools are also facing troubles and are unable to lower tuition to help these families.
In Italy, the coronavirus has led to 66 private-school closures in the country. Highlands Institute in Rome, Italy, says they have actually grown as a school in the past 10 years, but this year, the director says that won't be the case.
FR. JESÚS PARREÑO, LC
Director, Highlands Institute (Rome)
“Thank God, we don't have to close our school. Thank God, we have a consolidated structure that will allow us to open next year, but we will open with suffering, with great sacrifice, feeling the strong impact on the school.”
The problem runs deeper than finances, into faith itself. For years, many families have been questioning the point of paying for Catholic education.
FR. JESÚS PARREÑO, LC
Director, Highlands Institute (Rome)
“It is a situation of faith, since there are fewer vocations, thus fewer Catholic schools, and fewer Catholic families. One thing leads to another and schools are involved in that.”
SR. DALE MCDONALD
Director Educational Research, NCEA
“There is a pastoral problem in that fewer than 25 percent of families that identify as Catholic attend church on any regular basis. If families are not in the pews, then they are not hearing about Catholic schools and what they can do for their children.
Thus many schools also appeal to non-Catholic students. NCEA proves they are make up nearly 25 percent of the U.S. Catholic school enrollment. Highlands Institute affirms this, saying they also seek out children from other faith backgrounds.
FR. JESÚS PARREÑO, LC
Director, Highlands Institute (Rome)
“Non-Catholic families look for our schools, since they offer formation not found in other places. The Church, since its beginning, has been the master in education. We have a gift.”
SR. DALE MCDONALD
Director Educational Research, NCEA
“In our Catholic schools children learn to practice self-discipline, generosity, inclusion and cooperation with one another so that they learn to respect the opinions of others and promote social and political tolerance.”
Catholic schools expose students to different communities through service programs to enhance social awareness and help build a better society, which is exactly what Pope Francis has asked of a faith-filled education.
Melissa Butz
