Frequently Asked Questions

Why are schools being consolidated?

Catholic schools here and around the country are facing unprecedented challenges including declining enrollment, a changing workforce, aging facilities, a decreased base of financial support from affiliated parishes, and increasing costs, such as those associated with health insurance for employees. More recently the downturn in the economy has forced many families to choose between paying tuition and other household expenses, resulting in a sharp decline in enrollment at some schools. As a result, Archdiocesan Catholic schools have:

10,000 open seats
830,000 square feet of excess building capacity
$20 million in deferred maintenance needs

To address the financial and human needs inherent in this situation, more than a year ago Archbishop O’Brien called together a team of esteemed, dedicated leaders from the fields of education, philanthropy and business to examine the Archdiocesan school system from top to bottom. They were charged with offering recommendations for sustaining a vibrant Catholic school system—within 18 months. In addition, the Archbishop created the Office of School Planning to support the work of this Blue Ribbon Committee on Catholic Schools and to develop a consolidation plan that addresses under-capacity in some of our schools. For more than a year the Office has solicited the input of parents, students, teachers, priests, and consecrated religious women and men. To date, they have heard from more than 1,500 individuals. From their dedicated work came a plan to address the issues threatening our Catholic schools.

What is the cause of these challenges?

For years, Catholic schools in Baltimore and in many dioceses throughout the country, especially those with urban population centers, have been negatively impacted by decades of population shifts to the suburbs and by the declining number of nuns, priests and brothers who historically operated Catholic schools for little or no pay. Catholic schools had to begin paying lay professional teachers and administrators a competitive salary and benefits, forcing schools to increase the cost of tuition. In addition, the movement of families out of the city left neighborhoods with fewer families and resources. As a result, many parishes have been forced to close their schools in recent years because they could no longer afford to support them. Today, some families can no longer afford to send their children to Catholic schools forcing a further decline in enrollment which in turn causes higher tuitions for remaining school families. Without a plan, this is an unsustainable model.

How has the Archdiocese tried to help?

In 1994, Cardinal Keeler established a scholarship fund called Partners in Excellence (PIE). He asked businesses and foundations to be co-investors with him in providing quality education opportunities for all students by supporting scholarships for financially-qualified student families. Since then, the program has been a lifeline, distributing more than 21,000 scholarships worth approximately $21.5 million. Separately, the Archdiocese provides millions of dollars each year for tuition assistance, as well as direct financial support to both families and schools. Over the two most recent school years, the Archdiocese has directed over $10 million in such support to Catholic schools.

How did you select the schools that are going to be consolidated?

The Office of School Planning conducted an exhaustive study of every school operated by the Archdiocese and made its recommendations based on a number of factors considered crucial to the long-term sustainability of the schools’ mission including, but not limited to:

Enrollment trends for the past 10 years
Enrollment versus school capacity for the same 10-year period
Demographic trends (number of school age children in the area, and population)
Maintenance needs of the facility over the next 3-5 years
Proximity to other Catholic Schools
Amount of parish funds required to help operate the school
Funding required by the Archdiocese to support the school’s annual operating budget
Viability Assessment Reports prepared by teams of professional educators who visited with the principals and teachers and other key stakeholders at each school

While the Blue Ribbon Committee on Catholic Schools has not been involved in selecting the schools to be consolidated, great care has been taken to ensure that the plan is consistent with their work.

How many schools are being consolidated?

Thirteen schools are being consolidated and will not re-open for the 2010-11 school year:

Father Charles Hall Elementary School, Baltimore (both campuses)
St. Bernardine Elementary School, Baltimore
St. William of York School, Baltimore
Ascension School, Halethorpe
St. Rose of Lima School, Brooklyn
Holy Family School, Randallstown
Shrine of the Sacred Heart School, Mt. Washington
Mother Mary Lange School, Baltimore
St. Katharine School, Baltimore
Our Lady of Fatima School, Baltimore
Sacred Heart of Mary School, Dundalk
St. Clare School, Essex
The Cardinal Gibbons School, Baltimore

After this school year, 70 Catholic schools will continue to provide a high-quality education to Catholic and non-Catholic students who seek the academic foundations and character formation that Catholic schools provide.

How many students are impacted?

There are over 31,000 students in the Archdiocese who attend Catholic schools. The consolidation plan will impact approximately 2,152 students, or roughly six percent of the total student population of all Catholic schools. The Archdiocese has taken careful steps to ensure that every student currently enrolled in a Catholic school will have a seat next year. “Receiving Schools” have been identified and students and families are being provided with comprehensive support in selecting a school.

Will there be more school consolidations next year?

The overall goal of this effort is to make Catholic education more affordable and more accessible to students and families throughout our communities. By enabling schools to operate more efficiently, the Archdiocese believes that with the support of our communities for these important school assets, this goal can be achieved and the future of Catholic school education secured.

Where can I send my child to Catholic school next year?

There are 70 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese for next year. You may choose any school for your child. However, the Archdiocese has identified “receiving schools” with capacity to welcome your child. The receiving schools are within close proximity and, in most cases, have a similar tuition rate.

Does a student have to choose a “receiving school?”

No. Parents/guardians of elementary school students can choose to contact any school about enrollment for next year. Regardless of which school is chosen, students will be expected to meet the admissions requirements for the school he/she plans to attend next school year.

High school students at The Cardinal Gibbons School will participate in an application process to identify their top three choices at Catholic high schools in the Baltimore area.

Where can families find more information on “receiving schools” and all other Catholic schools?

Families are encouraged to visit: www.archbalt.org/aplacetogrow. This site includes information for parents/guardians, students, alumni, and teachers. If you would like to speak with someone directly about the registration process, please call: 1-800-5-Catholic or 1-800-522-8465.

Will there be any meetings I can attend?

For Elementary and Middle School Parents/Guardians only:

There are two parent/guardian-only meetings scheduled for elementary and middle school parents/guardians. The first is to discuss the consolidation plan and the second to meet representatives of “receiving schools.”

The first meeting will take place on Monday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m.

Parents/guardians (not for students) of elementary and middle school students can attend meetings at either of the following two locations:

The Catholic High School of Baltimore, 2800 Edison Highway, Baltimore 21213
Mount St. Joseph High School, 4403 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore 21229

The second meeting for parents/guardians with children in elementary & middle school schools that are consolidating will be held later in March in each consolidating school. At these meetings, parents/guardians will have an opportunity to meet the staff from the receiving schools where their child will be openly welcomed. Once the exact time and location of these meetings is set, each consolidating school will notify its parents/guardians.

For parents/guardians of Cardinal Gibbons School only:

There will be a parent meeting at The Cardinal Gibbons School on Monday, March 8 at 7:00pm to explain the Archdiocesan Consolidation Plan and to listen to parent concerns. As well, the specialized application process for the next school year will be shared at this meeting. This meeting is not for students. Students and parents will have a chance to attend a second meeting, March 15, when representatives from area Catholic high schools will be present.

What if the tuition is different at the new school from my child’s current school?

You will be required to pay the tuition rates where your child enrolls. Based on the 2009-10 tuition rates for elementary schools, some of the receiving schools’ tuition is less than the consolidated school and, in some cases, slightly more. Based on those 2009-10 rates, the average tuition at the receiving schools was $132 less than consolidating schools. Each school sets their own tuition. For more information about the receiving schools you can link to www.archbalt.org/aplacetogrow, where you can find their website which also may address this question.

I currently receive an in-parish tuition rate at my child’s current school. Will this discount transfer or will I have to register at a new parish?

The decision to recognize student-families who are active contributing parishioners at the sponsoring parish of a consolidated school will be made by each receiving school and parish.

I receive tuition assistance from our parish, will this transfer?

The decision to provide direct financial assistance to parish families with students in another Catholic school is made by each individual pastor or pastoral life director.

What happens to my registration fee that I already paid when I registered my child at his/her current school for next year?

All pre-paid registration fees will follow students of consolidating schools who register at another Catholic school for the next school year. All pre-paid registration fees for students of a consolidating school who do not register at a Catholic school for the next school year will be refunded in full, provided there is no outstanding tuition balance at the current school.

What if my child attends a PRIDE school that is consolidating?

The two current PRIDE programs (which are in schools that will be consolidated) will be transferred to nearby Catholic schools. An announcement about these schools will be made in mid-March. A feasibility study will be conducted to assess where additional school-based PRIDE programs might be located in the future, with the goal of increasing the number of intensive PRIDE program from two to four schools in the Archdiocese.

The current PRIDE (Pupils Receiving Inclusive Diversified Education) program serves as an innovative archdiocesan resource designed to meet the special needs of students of average and above average intelligence with minimal learning disabilities in grades K-8. Teachers trained in the field of special education, who design specific programs to meet the personal needs of each child, staff the program. Small class sizes ensure that children receive individualized attention, and the values of integrity, respect and dependable work habits are emphasized.

What will happen to the school buildings?

Many of the consolidating school buildings are owned by a Catholic parish, which will determine whether the building is retained for the parish’s use, leased or sold. School buildings owned by the Archdiocese will be considered for lease, sale or redevelopment.

Has the Archdiocese made any plans to sell the properties or buildings on the consolidated school grounds?

The Archdiocese has not been involved in any negotiations to sell the properties on which the schools are located. Several Cardinal Gibbons students and alumni believe that we have sold the Cardinal Gibbons School property to St. Agnes Hospital. These rumors are unfounded. We have not entered into any type of an agreement with St. Agnes Hospital relative to the sale of the property. We will be conducting an evaluation over the next year to determine the use of all school buildings impacted by the consolidations. Many of the consolidated school buildings are owned by a Catholic parish, that will determine whether the building is retained for the parish’s use, leased or sold. School buildings owned by the Archdiocese will be considered for lease, sale or redevelopment.

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