While Catholic schools nationwide struggle with decreasing enrollment and increasing closings, student populations remain steady at two of three Catholic and five other parochial schools in the Valley.

That parents are paying tuition, as well as public school taxes, in a recessive economy is a testament to the sacrifices they will make for their children’s education, according to a Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg official.

“These parents get it,” said the Very Rev. Edward J. Quinlan, secretary for education. “They have seen a difference it makes in their children. And they are willing to do what it takes to keep them here.”

Almost 1,600 children attend Grades 1-12 in Valley parochial schools. The average cost of one student’s tuition in those grades is $3,386 per year, ranging from $2,341 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional in Coal Township to $4,307 at Meadowbrook Christian Academy in Milton.

Most parochial schools in the Valley offer tuition discounts for a family sending two or more children to the same school.

Enrollment at only St. Monica School in Sunbury has declined significantly, from 199 students in 2002 to 134 in 2008, Quinlan said.

“We know that in some places, some towns, the decline in enrollment has nothing to do with the quality of our school,” he said. “Sometimes, we can predict enrollment numbers based on population shifts.”

He said he believes the changing demographics in Sunbury are to blame for St. Monica’s enrollment decline, that he is concerned about the school's continued viability, and suggests St. Monica Church devise a two-year plan for its school.

“We need to look carefully at schools that have lost students, for whatever reason,” he said.

Thirty one new Catholic schools opened in 2008-2009, but 162 schools closed or consolidated.

The number of students enrolled in Catholic schools nationwide for the 2008-09 school year was almost 2.2 million, according to the National Catholic Educational Association. There were 2.6 million 10 years ago, and 2.4 million five years ago.

Religion unpopular, principal says

While Sister Margaret McCullough agrees that a faltering economy is a significant factor in declining enrollment, “the real reasons are much more complicated than that,” she said.

“There has been a slow but noticeable cultural change in this society, and it’s how people view religion these days. Religion is simply not popular now,” the principal of Lourdes Regional said.