On Catholic Education

 In a deeply concerning trend that has become all too familiar in recent years, 55 Catholic schools closed during the 2023-24 school year, following 71 closures in 2021-22 and over 200 in 2020-21. This issue is not new, as I learned by reading Archbishop J. Michael Miller, former secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education, who detailed these stats in his book, The Holy See's Teaching on Catholic Schools. 

In 1930, the United States had a population of 123 million, with 20.2 million identifying as Catholic. Then, 2.4 million students attended 7,225 Catholic schools. The peak occurred in 1965, when the population was approximately 190 million, and 5.5 million Catholics were enrolled in Catholic schools. However, by 2024, with a national population exceeding 340 million and a Catholic demographic of 62 million, only 1.69 million Catholics were enrolled in 5,905 Catholic schools. This contrast highlights a troubling reality: despite a larger population, the number of Catholic schools and the students attending them have significantly decreased.

What I found revealing is that these figures challenge the standard response used when Catholic schools or parishes close—demographics. With each round of closures, the narrative remains consistent: schools experience declining enrollment and increasing financial strain until they ultimately close their doors. The few remaining families often scatter, seeking education in local public schools or other Catholic options, leading to a repetitive cycle.

Has Catholic education become a relic of the past, unable to meet the demands of a modern world that values sports, electives, iPads, and STEM education? As a Catholic educator, I cannot accept this narrative as truth. Why resign ourselves to a cycle of closures without a vision for revitalization, abandoning the traditional Catholic mission that seems increasingly outdated in a world and Church that often appears lukewarm? Each year, more schools close, more individuals drift from the Faith, and we lack the courage or vision to initiate meaningful change. Instead, we make excuses, attributing challenges to demographics. We have seemingly lost sight of the true mission of Catholic education. The closures are not merely demographic issues or reflections of inadequate offerings; they signify a failure to uphold the mission.

To understand this, compare the mission statement of your local Catholic school with Archbishop J. Michael Miller's definition of the genuine mission of Catholic education: "The specific purpose of a Catholic education is the formation of boys and girls who will be good citizens of this world, loving God and neighbor and enriching society with the leaven of the gospel, and who will also be citizens of the world to come, thus fulfilling their destiny to become saints".

Despite the challenges faced, we should not lose hope. Amidst the closures, some schools are thriving. For instance, St. Benedict Classical Academy in Natick, Massachusetts, which opened in 2013 with just two dozen students, now serves over 300 students in a new $20 million building. Similarly, St. Jerome Academy in Hyattsville, Maryland, transformed it's declining enrollment by adopting a classical liberal arts curriculum and now enrolls 500 students, including a high school, since 2019.

These success stories are not isolated. Across the nation, many Catholic schools are defying demographic trends by growing and thriving, such as St. John Bosco in Rochester, Chesterton Academies, Holy Family, and Our Lady of Lourdes in Denver. These schools, facing the same demographic and financial challenges, have prioritized their mission, demonstrating that focusing on the Kingdom of God leads to fulfilling other needs.

The distinction between traditional liberal arts (or classical Catholic education) and modern public education, which has increasingly infiltrated Catholic schools, is profound. The latter often focuses on what students should know, while classical education asks what kind of person a student should become. St. Benedict Classical Academy summarizes this vision: "In a word, classical (or 'liberal') education helps students become free to pursue the truth and thus become the persons God intends them to be."

However, obstacles exist. As Fr. McTeigue noted, "Most institutions would rather die than admit to having made a mistake." Transitioning from a modern public education model to a classical one may prove challenging for many schools, as some may prefer closure over change. However, it is possible, as demonstrated by those schools noted above and dioceses that have successfully made the switch. The future of Catholic education may hinge on embracing Classical Catholic education; without this shift, the outlook remains bleak.

In my 46 years of teaching in Catholic schools, I can corroborate that the focus of Catholic schools has shifted, emphasizing gaining admission to prestigious colleges to justify high tuition costs that only a few families can afford. Our priority should be catechizing all high school-aged Catholic children, a mission currently lacking, as evidenced by the increasing number of youth leaving the Church. Parents invest substantial amounts in tuition primarily for academics and discipline, but there is a critical need for internal evangelization within our schools.