American catholic schools’ enrollment has dropped by more than half from its peak of 5 million more than 40 years ago (New York Times – For Catholic Schools, Crisis and Catharsis). If you pay any attention to numbers and the health of institutions, a decline of more than 50% gets your attention. In the case of catholic and parochial schools, the Church, catholic families, and parishes are asking a multitude of questions about the nature of catholic education, catholic schools, and how they- all- should, plan for, and move into the future.

“….recently, after years of what frustrated parents describe as inertia in the church hierarchy, a sense of urgency seems to be gripping many Catholics who suddenly see in the shrinking enrollment a once unimaginable prospect: a country without Catholic schools.

From the ranks of national church leaders to the faithful in the pews, there are dozens of local efforts to forge a new future for parochial education by rescuing the remaining schools or, if need be, reinventing them. The efforts are all being driven, in one way or another, by a question in a University of Notre Dame task force report in 2006: “Will it be said of our generation that we presided over the demise” of Catholic schools?” (New York Times – For Catholic Schools, Crisis and Catharsis)

Everyone involved believes that catholic education matters and contributes to the American educational and social fabric. The trick is and will be to create a niche for catholic schools that keeps them bright, viable and of high quality.

As is often the case the best solutions are creative and responsive to local needs. Alumni are being asked to play larger roles. Student financing has become an openly discussed and planned for topic. Lay boards are being created to oversee educational matters. In Memphis, the diocese cultivates private donors and foundations for funding. And, in the most jarring local change:

“The Archdiocese of Washington was so desperate to save seven struggling parochial schools last year that it opted for a solution that shook Catholic educators to the core. It took down the crucifixes, hauled away the statues of the Virgin Mary, and — in its own word — “converted” the schools in the nation’s capital into city charter schools.” (New York Times – For Catholic Schools, Crisis and Catharsis)

I’m certain that this struggle is no fun for anyone involved. But, I can’t help but believe that long term good will come soul searching and creative solutions. As an interviewee intimated in the article, many catholic and non-catholic school families and alumni assumed that catholic schools would be around forever. But changing times and circumstances always pressure and challenge the viability of all institutions.

Surviving schools will come out of these challenges sharply focused, with sound educational and financial plans and able to communicate the value of their education to families.

The challenge for any and all private schools is maintaining and building a viability to the ever changing world. If you don’t stay connected and relevant to what families and children require, you become irrelevant and families can find a more valuable education elsewhere. As a private or parochial school you’ve got to do two things:

1. Make yourself the best choice

2. Stay affordable to your constituency