Catholic Schools Crisis Deepens As Two More Close
Parents and students of two long-standing New Jersey Catholic elementary schools are reeling after learning both institutions will permanently shut their doors this June. Visitation Academy in Paramus and Aquinas Academy in Livingston, with histories dating back to the early 1950s, will join more than 30 other Catholic schools across the state that have closed in recent years, continuing a troubling trend for parochial education.
The announcements came through letters to families, catching many off guard despite nationwide patterns of Catholic school contractions. Both schools have served generations of students, with Visitation opening in 1953 as Our Lady of the Visitation Elementary School and Aquinas Academy beginning in 1952 as Saint Philomena, according to 94.3 The Point.
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The Hidden Crisis Behind the Classroom Doors
The closures reflect a broader existential threat facing Catholic education nationwide. Since 1970, the number of Catholic schools operating in the United States has plummeted from approximately 11,000 to just 5,905 during the 2023-24 school year, according to the National Catholic Education Association.
In New Jersey alone, more than 30 Catholic schools have closed their doors since 2020. While enrollment saw a brief uptick in 2022 – the first increase in two decades – numbers have since plateaued. Current nationwide enrollment of 1.69 million students represents a 14% decline from just a decade ago, NJ.com reports.
“It’s never easy when a school closes its doors. For many families, a local school is more than just a building – it’s a second home,” noted The Point’s reporting. “It’s a place where teachers know the kids by name.”
Beyond Finances: The Perfect Storm
While financial difficulties are commonly cited as the primary reason for closures, diocesan officials point to a more complex reality. Leaders explained that decisions were made after considering long-term sustainability, not just immediate budget concerns.
“Surprisingly, the decision isn’t just about finances,” The Point revealed. “It’s about shifting populations, changing neighborhoods, and competing options that didn’t exist a generation ago. Families today have more choices than ever, and that means traditional models are being challenged in new ways.”
These demographic shifts align with what Catholic education officials have observed nationwide – changing neighborhood compositions, declining birth rates in traditional Catholic communities, and increased competition from charter and specialized public school programs have all contributed to enrollment challenges.
Communities Fighting to Preserve Their Schools
Not all closing Catholic schools have remained shuttered. Some communities have found creative solutions to keep their educational traditions alive. After the Diocese of Camden announced Wildwood Catholic High School and Cape Trinity Catholic Elementary School would close in 2020, supporters raised over $1 million to merge them into Wildwood Catholic Academy, a K-12 institution.
Similar stories have played out across the state. Saint Joseph High School in Hammonton closed in June 2020 but was revived as St. Joseph Academy, now operating independently. Trenton Catholic Academy transformed from a diocesan school to the independent Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy before becoming Thrive Charter School in 2024.
These success stories demonstrate how determined communities can preserve their educational institutions, albeit often with significant changes to governance and funding structures.
The Ripple Effect on New Jersey Education
The closures come amid broader educational turmoil in New Jersey. In Middletown, the public school district faces its own crisis, with Superintendent Jessica Alfone recently proposing the closure of two elementary schools and a middle school to address a $10 million budget deficit.
Parents there have mobilized against the proposal, printing hundreds of “Save Our Schools” shirts and yard signs. “I think we all feel like the rug was pulled from under us,” parent Jessica Donahue told CBS New York.
The parallel crises in both Catholic and public education highlight the mounting pressures facing New Jersey schools from multiple directions – declining enrollments, rising operational costs, and changing community demographics.
What Happens Next?
For families affected by the Catholic school closures, diocesan officials have promised support through the transition. Placement assistance, guidance for transferring to other schools, and emotional resources will be made available, though as The Point noted, “no plan can fully take away the sting of a closure like this.”
As both Visitation and Aquinas prepare for their final months of operation, generations of alumni, current students, and faculty face the difficult process of saying goodbye to institutions that have shaped countless lives over seven decades of service to their communities.
The closures serve as a stark reminder of the precarious state of traditional educational models in an era of rapid social change and financial challenges.
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