Catholic schools across New York City are facing an alarming crisis, as rising tuition costs and declining religious affiliation threaten their very existence. In the past month alone, seven Catholic schools have announced their impending closure at the end of the academic year, a trend that follows 13 other closures since the pandemic. The numbers paint a grim picture, with Catholic school enrollment plummeting by 23 percent over the past five years, translating to roughly 11,500 fewer students in the five boroughs.

The situation is most dire in the Bronx, which has seen a staggering 40 percent decline in Catholic school enrollment. Once home to approximately 13,400 Catholic students in the 2018-2019 school year, the borough now serves only 8,000. Five of the seven schools set to close in June are located in the Bronx, including the historic Immaculate Conception School, which has operated for 177 years.

Robert DiNardo, director of the Institute for Catholic Schools, attributes the crisis primarily to financial struggles. “I think it’s really nothing more basic than money,” DiNardo explained. “They’re not really turning away from Catholic schools — it’s that they can’t afford it.”

The cost of Catholic education has skyrocketed in recent years, with tuition at some high schools reaching upwards of $16,000 annually. Even elementary schools require a minimum tuition of $4,000, making it increasingly difficult for families to justify the expense when public education is available at no cost.

Compounding the financial strain is the declining role of religion in daily life. James Wolfinger, dean of the School of Education at St. John’s University, notes that families’ connections to their local parishes are not as strong as they once were. “Life used to be organized much more around the parish itself,” Wolfinger said. “If you went back a couple of generations, you had a society that was much more religious and, around here, much more Catholic.”

Despite the decline, there is still a demand for Catholic education. Many families value the moral and academic excellence these institutions provide. However, as inflation continues to rise, the financial burden becomes too great. Public schools, which charge minimal fees, have become the more feasible option for struggling families.

Some Catholic schools have attempted creative solutions to remain afloat. Fontbonne Hall, an all-girls high school in Brooklyn, has expanded to include grades six through eight to absorb students from recently closed schools. Similarly, The Mary Louis Academy in Queens has announced plans to adopt a similar model. However, these adaptations may not be enough to stem the tide of closures.

One potential solution that could save Catholic schools is the implementation of school vouchers—government-funded certificates that could help cover tuition costs for students attending private religious institutions. Currently, New York State does not offer such a program, leaving families to bear the full financial burden.

The Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens do provide some financial aid, but it is often not enough to offset the rising costs. Without broader structural support, Catholic schools will likely continue to close, further eroding the legacy of faith-based education in New York City.

As the academic year comes to a close, thousands of students and their families face uncertainty about their educational futures. While Catholic education remains a cherished tradition for many, the realities of modern finances and shifting cultural priorities are forcing difficult choices that could reshape the landscape of religious schooling for years to come.

For more detail, see the New York Post.