In my dioceses 5 local Catholic Schools are consolidating. This means starting the 2019-2020 school year all 5 schools are technically closing. One of the schools will "re-open" as a new school, new name, new staff, and the parishes that supported the 5 old schools plus 2 or 3 other parishes that never had a school will support the new school. This mainly has to do with a decline in enrollment in all the schools over the years. When a school as only 5-10 students per class they can't stay open. -- not with the cost salaries, maintenance, and other fees associated with running a school. It really is not feasible. -- talking with others this is happening in other dioceses too. It's not just mine.
There are a few things that come to mind; why this is the case:
1) Curriculum. I have been saying for years now, at least 11 years, that the curriculum is not Catholic! When the books are the exact same books used in public schools and the only thing Catholic about the school week is the religion class that is done 2-3 times a week, daily Mass once a week, and the artwork on the walls it's not enough! Artwork, Religion class a couple hours a week and 1 - 45 minute Mass is not enough of a Catholic identity. I think parents even became more aware of this when Come Core Standards came on to the scene and they realized the schools were using the same materials!
2) Push for more traditional. I have found more and more of my peers, who are active and consider themselves devoted Catholics are wanting more and more traditional. They are adhering to traditions such as meatless Fridays ALL Fridays of the year, they are wearing mantillas to Mass (even at a Novus Ordo Mass), family altars in their homes, family devotions, regular prayer times, etc. They more than anyone recognize the schools are often only "catholic" by name and that's not enough for them. Even my non-Catholic friends can see it and say things like "if they would make the school's distinctively Catholic with curriculum and go back to using nuns and priest as teachers" enrollment would blossom and bloom. -- that's just it people if they are going to shell out thousands of dollars what a distinctive Catholic school -- being Catholic in name is no good! These friends are either homeschooling so they know their kids are getting a Catholic Education or they are sending their kids to public school because they can not justify the cost of a private school that is using the same materials, teaching the same things, etc
3) I'm not naive I also know the church is in upheaval because of the abuse cases and stories of decades of cover-up. I know this has caused many to walk away. I'm sure some of the recent declines in schools has to do with that too. I know Mass attendance being light is a result of those things; so it would not surprise me that some of the school's decline is because of the scandals as well.
Where does the Church and schools go from here?
I think the Church needs to do some cleaning up! Many Bishops recognized this and have been vocal about that, and for that I'm thankful. I think the Church needs to embrace strong older Catholic roots and go back to the basics. I think going back to basics is good! With all of this and with many striving for more traditional Catholicism, it's beginning to see how poorly catechized many older Catholics are -- and with that there is a draw to more family-style catechizes which I think is great. The church needs that!
I'm just afraid that while parishes try that they are going to have a low turn out, at first, and may not make it through the transition period or feel like it's a failure before it is even given a fair shot at working. My parish has decided to come next school year the Religious Education program will be more of a family-style program. As a volunteer for the program I'm excited about the possibilities, but also know that as much as I talked about devoted Catholics wanting this and that -- the devoted Catholics just like with the schools are not utilizing the Religious Education program. Most of the parents that do the religious education program are nominal Catholics, that do not go to Mass and just send their kids to Religious Education classes because that's what you do!
Seeing that is the dominant make up our religious education program, even though numbers are low now, I foresee them getting lower with the family style program. Family style means the parent has to have a vested interest and attend too; it's not as simple as dropping your kid off for 45 minutes and coming back to pick them up. So there will be this transition period where nominal Catholics are going to realize just dropping off it's not enough and families wanting more family learning and family devotions are going to have realized that's being offered. So there will be this transition period and I'm afraid that the Church isn't going to make it or declare the family style catechizes a failure before it had a fighting chance. Also, the curriculum is going to matter. I have not heard or seen what the Church plans on using next year for curriculum, but I know if it's not authentic enough, deep enough (not too deep because many are clueless) and Catholic enough it won't work.
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