The Diocese of Rockville Centre announced Tuesday that it is closing six of its 53 elementary schools on Long Island in June 2012. in Glen Cove made the cut.
Principal James Thompson said he is pleased the school is remaining open.
“I think that this area needs a Catholic school, and it’s an important part of the culture of the area,” he said. “The school board is very happy that we will continue to be in the business of educating our students.”
Thompson agreed with the Bishop William Murphy’s strategic plan, which included the decision to close all six schools at once, instead of shutting down individual schools each year like in the past.
Founded in 1990, All Saints serves Nursery through Eighth grade students from parishes of Glen Cove, Glen Head, Roslyn and Sea Cliff, among others.
Thompson added the All Saints community is looking forward to the 2012-2013 school year; on Sunday, Jan. 29, there will be an open house for parents and children interested in attending the school.
Long Island pastors were given the news of their schools’ closing on Monday, said Sean P. Dolan of communications for the Diocese of RVC. The principals and faculty were informed the following day. Tuesday, an e-mail letter from Bishop Murphy also went out to the parents of all children at the schools that are closing.
The six schools closing on Long Island, according to the Diocese of RVC Web site, are:
- St. John Baptist de La Salle Regional School in Farmingdale
- St. Catherine of Sienna School in Franklin Square
- St. Ignatius Loyola School in Hicksville
- Sacred Heart School in North Merrick
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Lindenhurst
- Prince of Peace Regional School in Sayville
Significant decreases in enrollment appear to be one major reason for school closings. The following is data provided from the Diocese for four of the above schools:
- St. John Baptist de La Salle Regional School: 2000-2001, 311 students. 2011-2012, 184 students (41 percent decrease).
- Sacred Heart School: 2000-2001, 285 students. 2011-2012, 160 (44 percent decrease).
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help School: 2000-2001, 515 students. 2011-2012, 156 students (70 percent decrease).
- Prince of Peace Regional School: 2000-2001, 179 students. 2011-2012, 136 students (24 percent decrease).
“The Bishop wanted to develop a strategic plan for elementary education that would look at what we have today and what we need in the future,” said Dolan. “He formed an advisory committee tasked with the responsibility of developing this plan.”
Dolan told Patch.com that every school was evaluated on their individual ability to provide a quality Catholic education program. He said the advisory committee analyzed different facets of each school, including: enrollment, demographic changes, ages of students in the area, and financial situation of the school and parish. Additionally, the school buildings were reviewed on their technology and other programs. The Diocese also considered the amount of nearby schools for the student of the institutions being cut.
“Through these lenses, the advisory committee determined each school's viability into the future,” he said.
