After more than 80 years of operation as a Catholic school, Our Lady of Peace School, Fords section of Woodbridge, is closing its doors for good.
Rev. Monsignor Andrew Szaroleta, pastor of the parish announced the decision July 18, attributing the move to a steep decline in enrollment. He said the decision was made after consultation with diocesan school officials and the parish finance council, and was accepted by Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski.
Students of Our Lady of Peace, which straddles the border of Woodbridge and Edison, will instead be advised to attend St. James Parish, located on Amboy Avenue in Woodbridge.
Describing the closure as a strategic move to preserve Catholic education for area students, Szaroleta said he and Rev. Msgr. Charles Cicerale, pastor of neighboring St. James Parish, Woodbridge, came up with a proactive plan in which all enrolled students of Our Lady of Peace School will have an opportunity to attend St. James School beginning in September.
St. James School is located less than 3 miles from Our Lady of Peace School.
“Together, Monsignor Charlie [Cicerale] and I believe we will make the best of a challenging situation,” the pastor said of the closing school. “We ask for your patience, understanding and prayers as we move forward with this plan that will enable us to continue to provide an excellent Catholic education in our area.”
Both parochial schools have seen a steady decline in enrollment the past few years, Szaroleta said. He added that, after discussing their mutual concerns about student retention and attracting new enrollment, the two pastors concluded that combining their resources was a viable solution that would greatly benefit both parishes and their students.
If all currently enrolled students choose to attend, and the anticipated summer registrations take place, the combined enrollment would be more than 300.
Teachers at both schools were notified of the plan in separate meetings July 17. That same evening, pastors of both schools were present as Szaroleta delivered the news to parents of Our Lady of Peace School students at an open meeting in the church building.
Szaroleta told parents the decision to close Our Lady of Peace School was made due to a steep drop in enrollment, which he said would prohibit the continued operation of the parochial school, which was established in the 1930s.
“It is with great sadness today I must tell you that enrollment for the upcoming school year is not what we expected or planned for,” the pastor said. “Although we’ve explored all possible ways to keep the school open next year, the unfortunate reality is that the parish simply does not have enough students enrolled to cover the many expenses associated with operating a school.”
The pastor said that, even before the precipitous drop in registration, many within the school community were aware of the steady decline and had tried to correct it.
Several years ago, Szaroleta said, members of the School Advisory Council completed a five-year plan that addressed a concern about declining enrollment and proposed ways to counter it. A marketing director was hired two years ago to bolster the school’s efforts to attract new families and retain current students. The school engaged in promotional initiatives, including increased advertising, parish bulletin announcements, informational announcements and invitations sent to school parents, and media and alumni outreach.
Members of the Home-School Association increased fundraising efforts to help subsidize the school’s operating costs, as well.
“Many dedicated people worked very hard, and for that I am most grateful,” Szaroleta said.
At the end of the 2013-14 school year, Our Lady of Peace had 161 registered students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. By last week, only 97 students had registered for the 2014-15 school year — a 40 percent decrease.
Similarly, at the start of the 2013-14 academic year, St. James had 265 registered students. At present, only 201 students have registered for the 2014-15 school year.
Ellen Ayoub, diocesan superintendent of schools, said Our Lady of Peace students will be able to wear their current school uniforms, and noted that established tuition fees will remain the same for the coming school year. Student busing will be made available.
The current principal of Our Lady of Peace School, Frances Comiskey, has accepted the vacant principal position at St. James School.