FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2018
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org
Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org
TWO CATHOLIC ACADEMIES IN QUEENS WILL CLOSE THEIR DOORS AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
Our Lady of the Angelus Catholic Academy, located at 98-05 63rd Drive in Rego Park and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Academy, located at 92-80 220th Street, Queens Village, will close in June. Declining enrollment at both K-8 schools has led to severe budget deficits. The declines are due to changing demographics.
At Our Lady of the Angelus, enrollment has dropped from 226 students in 2012 to 130 this school year. That nearly 50% drop has led to a budget deficit that will reach $444,299 by June.
The situation is similar at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Academy. Since 2012, enrollment has dropped from 302 students to 170 this year. For the current school year, the budget deficit is projected at $219,000. Unpaid tuition totals $120,000, and the school building needs repairs estimated at over $1.5 million.
Students at Our Lady of the Angelus are encouraged to enroll in nearby schools like Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Resurrection/Ascension, and St. Leo. Students who enroll in those schools or any other Diocese of Brooklyn Catholic academy or school will automatically receive a $500 tuition assistance grant. There will also be an informational meeting next Wednesday, March 14th at 7:00 pm where administrators from the nearby schools and academies will present their programs and answer any questions.
Invitations to students of Our Lady of Lourdes have been extended by the communities of Incarnation, Saints Joachim and Anne, St. Gregory the Great, and Our Lady of the Snows. An informational meeting was held on March 8, for Our Lady of Lourdes parents. These families will also be provided an automatic $500 tuition assistance grant if they transfer to an alternative Diocese of Brooklyn Catholic Academy or school. In order to register in a neighboring Catholic academy, families of Our Lady of Lourdes must meet all of their financial obligations.
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