Philadelphia Archdiocese School Closings

I moved to the city of Philadelphia three years ago from a suburb in New Jersey. The adjustment has been fairly painless as I have worked in Philly for over twenty years. When city folks are introduced you can be certain they will ask each other “Where are you from?” and “What parish?” With the changes from the Archdiocese, an answer to the last question could become a bit tricky.

At work today, I watched as parents grew increasingly concerned over where there children will attend school next year. When the announcement was made, the decisions were not at all expected. Parents who were born and raised in one parish will now send their children to school in another. This is a very big deal to people who have lived in a neighborhood their whole life. Most likely, their parents and grandparents live a few blocks over.

In my neighborhood, in South Philadelphia, both Mt Carmel and Sacred Heart will be closing. The children will be sent to school in a neighborhood they may only have seen because of the carnival. Or maybe they caught a glimpse of the place when they blinked their eyes coming home from a Phillies game. These kids are used to a quick drop off down the street from their house or a short walk with friends to start their day. They are picked up from school by aunts and uncles or grandparents who live nearby. Or, maybe mom or dad picks them up.

I feel sympathy for the parents who possibly went to these schools and now live to watch the doors close on their childhood memories. They will watch as their grade school becomes a charter school. That is a positive example of what the future can hold for these schools that are shutting down.

The truth is that these are my random feelings and observations on this issue. I foresee a larger migration to charter schools for parents who are concerned about their grade school children and their high school options. The concern for future Catholic school closings is being voiced. Which high schools will be available for these students being moved in 2012? How can they be sure? I am also hearing talk of moving out of the city completely. Will families leave altogether and go the suburban public school route?

Again, this is one woman’s thoughts. I do wish the best for all the families affected by these changes as a chapter closes in their lives.


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