…The archdiocese reported a 2.05% increase for this school year during its October survey, contributing to total growth of 4.58% in enrollment since June 2020.
Although the two-year upswing is encouraging, archdiocesan schools are not close to erasing the effects of the massive student exodus during the pandemic — with overall enrollment down 8.9% when compared with that of fall 2019. The plunge prompted the closure of 10 elementary schools and one high school in mostly working-class communities, including Boyle Heights, El Sereno, Hollywood and Pomona.
Much is at stake during this winter’s admission season as the pressure mounts on schools to intensify recruitment efforts in the hopes of regaining enrollment losses to keep teetering schools open. But parochial schools face the same enrollment challenges as public schools in Los Angeles and throughout the state: a smaller school-age population. In 2022, California public school enrollment dropped for the fifth year in a row — a decline of more than 110,000 students.
Archdiocese enrollment cratered at the end of the 2020-21 school year to 64,685 students, marking a 12.24% loss of about 9,000 students. Total losses mounted to almost 10,000 students since the pre-pandemic school year of 2018-19, when there were 74,404 students.
The pandemic drops were compounded by two decades of a cumulative 25% decline. In 2000, nearly 100,000 students attended Catholic schools.
Paul Escala, Los Angeles Archdiocese superintendent, said affordability has been at the heart of enrollment declines for years. But pandemic shutdowns, hardships and layoffs stung many of the school system’s working-class families — 70% of whom are low-income — forcing parents to pull their children out.
Even with scholarships, families have been unable to pay tuition — which ranges from $3,500 to $6,000 for elementary education in most parts of L.A. And free options abound at public and charter campuses as all schools compete for a shrinking number of school-age children.
The spiral prompted Catholic schools to reach out to families that had left as well as broaden their outreach.
“We saw communities, particularly those hardest hit, rally around their schools,” Escala said. “These were some of the few places during the pandemic where parents and students could connect, where spirituality and faith during a real dark time were cultivated….”
Full story at the L.A. Times
Maybe bishops and Diocesan leaders need to find ways to help subsidize Catholic education better. Rising costs of just about everything make ‘making ends meet’ difficult…including ever rising tuitions at parochial schools. If we truly believe in Catholic education then help those who can’t afford it.
It is also the job of the laypeople to make the schools affordable. Many of us, myself included, do not approach stewardship the way the Bible tells us we should. It teaches that we should give the church 10% of our take-home pay. With what is left we can pay the rent, make a car payment, buy food, etc.
Many of us, myself included, make the rent, and car payments, buy food and clothes and if there is anything left, we give to the church. The Protestants aren’t afraid to teach stewardship like our Priests are. Maybe the Bishops can teach the Priests how to give “the money homily.”
Maybe the bishop shouldn’t siphon off so much money in annual appeals and the cathedraticum that would otherwise go to parishes and schools. Check your bishop’s waist size and see where the money’s going.
Catholic schools are no longer sustainable. Stop throwing money down the pit.
Catholic schools are more necessary than ever. Especially if you do not want your child confused by the things in public schools.