All of the pastors who met with the Office of Catholic Education and Formation this fall to review their parish elementary school feasibility have recommended keeping their school open for the 2024-25 school year.
About one-third of archdiocesan pastors of parishes with elementary schools met with OCEF and their episcopal vicar to review enrollment trends and projections, building capacity, parish subsidy and other financial support of the school and proximity to neighboring schools. Pastors then gathered feedback from parish leaders and parishioners and submitted a recommendation to Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski with one of three options: keep the school open, merge with another school or close the school. All recommended the first.
The pastors have now been asked, in consultation with the parish’s school board, finance council, parish council and community, to create a feasibility plan that outlines how the parish will ensure the school’s long-term viability.
The feasibility plans are due to the archdiocese on Feb. 1, detailing specific goals and actions that will be taken for the next three school years regarding projected enrollment, school costs for faculty, staff, programs and supplies, realistic and sustainable funding sources, building condition and capacity, staffing and other considerations.
Parishes will also be asked to consider whether their continued financial investment in the school will leave them unable to financially support other current or future parish ministries.
After the plans are submitted, Archbishop Rozanski may suggest revisions or amendments and encourage schools close to each other to consider how the other’s plan impacts their own. Parishes may reconsider their decision to keep their school open. The pastor will make the final decision.
This year, more than 19,000 students attend more than 80 archdiocesan elementary schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, including 10 counties and the City of St. Louis. According to last year’s enrollment data, as a whole, Catholic elementary schools were at less than 65% of their capacity.