News Release January 25, 2005
Saint George Parish Elementary School To Close
Reverend Michael P. McCormac, Pastor of Saint George Parish in Glenolden, Delaware County, announces that Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, has accepted the recommendation of the School Study Committee that Saint George Parish Elementary School close in June 2005. The children, who currently attend the school, will have the option of attending any other Catholic school.
Saint George School has faced rapidly declining enrollment due to demographic changes in the area. There are only 181 students currently enrolled and just 132 of those students live within the parish boundaries. As the enrollment has decreased, the cost to educate each pupil has steadily increased, placing a tremendous financial burden on the parish. Since 1997, per pupil costs have increased 110 percent but tuition has only increased 20 percent in an effort to keep tuition costs affordable for parents.
In a letter to parishioners, Father McCormac said, “For our Parish Community and for our Parish School students, it is indeed a very sad time, but it is a reality that we must face. At the same time, I know the vibrancy and the strong faith of our Parish Community, and therefore, I see this as an opportunity to use our financial and personnel resources in a creative way in the future. With the assistance of our two Advisory Councils, and with the resolve of our Parish Pastoral Staff, it is our hope to strengthen our ministry to our Parish youth!”
Background
In June 1996, Saint George Parish was carrying high debt and had a low school enrollment of 200 students. With the support of the Parish Financial Council and the Parish Pastoral Council, and through the efforts of the Pastor and Principal, a School Marketing Committee was established. By the 1999-2000 school year, the Parish School enrollment increased to 255 students. By February 2003, the Parish Community was debt free but at the same time enrollment was dropping and costs climbing.
As part of the major efforts to market Saint George Parish School, aides were provided in primary grades, part-time positions were created for computer education, art, gym and music. The Parish Community worked very hard to provide a quality, competitive educational environment through additional spending, while minimizing the financial impact on parents.
Over the past few years, Saint George Parish and the entire community began to experience a growing change in demographics. These changes have severely impacted school enrollment as well as major funding sources such as Sunday collections and fund-raisers.
Feasibility Study
In July 2004, Cardinal Rigali gave permission for a feasibility study of Saint George Parish Elementary School. At that time, Father McCormac established a School Study Committee which studied documentation about the parish and school resources. The Committee met six times in Fall 2004, during which time the members discussed and reviewed the information provided. The School Study Committee also held a General Meeting for parishioners and school parents. At the conclusion of the meeting, all were invited to complete a Survey form. The results indicated overwhelmingly that the financial information, reports and analyses were more than sufficient for their understanding the challenges facing Saint George Parish. Although the School Study Committee was disappointed in the low number of those attending the General Meeting, the surveys were helpful in determining the thoughts and opinions of the attendees.
Recommendation
After a thorough and comprehensive review and prayerful reflection on all of the information and analyses of Saint George Parish Elementary School, and after consultation with the Parish Community, including the Parish School Parents, the School Study Committee recommended that Saint George Parish Elementary School be closed in June 2005.
Archbishop Ryan School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
Since 1996, the Archbishop Ryan School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing has maintained one of its two campuses at Saint George School. The other campus is located at Saint Gabriel School in Norwood. Archbishop Ryan School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children - Oral Academy - will move from Saint George to Saint Joseph Parish in Collingdale, Delaware County.
School Building
No decision has been made regarding the Saint George Parish School building.
Enrollment
1999-2000 255
2000-2001 239
2001-2002 241
2002-2003 217
2003-2004 210
2004-2005 181
For the 2004-2005 school year, income from tuition will cover only 42 percent of the actual cost of school operations. Historically, the tuition income as a percentage of operating costs was as follows:
1999-2000 59%
2000-2001 52%
2001-2002 52%
2002-2003 49%
2003-2004 52%
2004-2005 42%
Archdiocese of Philadelphia