Catholic schools in New York are facing an unprecedented crisis. The increase in tuition fees, combined with a gradual decline in families’ religious affiliation, has led to the closure of numerous institutions across the city. Just in the past month, seven schools announced they would permanently shut down by the end of the academic year, adding to the 13 that had already closed in the aftermath of the pandemic. Overall, student enrollment has dropped by 23% in the last five years, a loss of approximately 11,500 students across the city’s five boroughs.
According to experts, this trend is driven by two main factors: the sharp rise in costs, making it increasingly difficult for families to afford tuition, and the weakening bond with religious congregations. In the past, Catholic education was a fundamental pillar of a child’s upbringing, but today, with a wider range of educational options available, the sense of belonging to the Church has diminished, making religious schools a less urgent choice for many families.
A non-negligible role was probably also played by the cases of pedophilia, which have undermined many parents’ trust in the Church and its representatives. The abuse of minors, perpetrated by members of the clergy, is a deep wound that has marked the lives of many innocent victims. While the Holy See has acknowledged its responsibilities and has undertaken a path of transparency and commitment to combating this phenomenon the public relations damage has been done.
The Bronx has been hit the hardest, experiencing a 40% decline in student enrollment since the 2018-2019 school year. Five of the seven schools set to close this year are located in this borough, including the historic Immaculate Conception School, which has been operating for 177 years. School officials attributed the decision to longstanding financial difficulties and the continuous decline in student registrations.
The COVID-19 pandemic had temporarily slowed this downward trend, as Catholic schools continued offering in-person classes while many other institutions switched to remote learning. However, this advantage was not enough to justify the high costs of private education. Several schools have attempted alternative solutions, such as merging with other institutions to cut costs or introducing new courses to attract more students.
Tuition fees have continued to rise steadily: in some cases, they have increased from $6,000 per year in 2011 to over $16,000 projected for 2025, turning Catholic education into a luxury. For many parents, private schooling has become unaffordable, especially during a time marked by inflation and growing economic uncertainty.
A possible solution could be the introduction of government-funded school vouchers, which would allow students to access public funds to attend these institutions. However, unlike other states, New York does not offer such financial aid, leaving religious schools without adequate economic support.
