Parenting: Catholic school decision looms

The reason is clear: the shift in population toward outlying suburbs. Church spokespeople explain that too many schools in the system have too few students, a model that is not only unsustainable financially, but that draws strength from each school's academic programs. The hope, according to the Archdiocese, is that by reducing the number of buildings and combining student bodies, each remaining school will be made stronger and sustainable for years to come. There has also been talk of a new, more coordinated system for managing schools in the system. The Philadelphia Catholic School System, as a whole, has seen a drop in enrollment of roughly a third in the last ten years.

The blue ribbon panel has been at work for more than a year and during that time, anxiety has been building among families who don't know whether their children will be uprooted. The uncertainty also poses a special issue for the parents of prospective new students trying to guess which elementary or high schools will still be open next year.

Adding to the stress has been the previous pattern of piecemeal closings in recent years--- a few schools here, a few schools there---that has left some parents and kids on edge. Last June, when the Archdiocese closed St. Kevin's Elementary School in Springfield, Delaware County, parents told me it was a sudden and surprising announcement.

Rumors have been abounding as to which schools will be targeted this time, but there has been no official word to substantiate any of them. Meanwhile, school administrators have been trying to focus on the current school year and have been operating under the assumption that they'll still be open in the fall. High schools in the system have been holding open houses for prospective incoming freshman over the last few months and have begun accepting applications and application fees. Post cards were mailed recently to the homes of at least some students who attended open houses last fall at Monsignor Bonner High School in Upper Darby, Delaware County, stating that any rumors about that school closing are untrue. But officially, there has been no indication of what may or may not be coming from the panel.

---David Murphy