is not only one of the six Long Island Catholic schools that the Diocese of Rockville Centre will close at the end of the year, but it's ready to welcome more students.
Principal Caryn Durkin said there is availability in all grades and she would be happy to add more students to the school.
Currently 390 students attend Notre Dame School. That's a marked difference from the schools that the Diocese of Rockville Centre slated for closing. Those six schools have seen declining enrollments, with one school as low as 136 students this year, according to the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
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The six schools to close include:
- St. John Baptist de La Salle Regional School (Farmingdale)
- St. Catherine of Sienna School (Franklin Square)
- St. Ignatius Loyola School (Hicksville)
- Sacred Heart School (North Merrick)
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (Lindenhurst)
- Prince of Peace Regional School (Sayville)
“Our enrollment is good and our finances are good,” Durkin said. “We will be beginning our video conferencing in January; our equipment is being installed over the break. I’m very excited about that.”
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Diocese of Rockville Centre Bishop William Murphy wrote in a letter to parents on Dec. 5 that, “Given the decline in school-age population and the economic climate on Long Island we, like many public school districts, must face the harsh reality that we no longer need as many school buildings as we may have in the past.”
No word yet on plans from the Diocese of RVC for displaced students, though Durkin said, “Either from the schools that are closing, I would be delighted to add them or children from public schools whose parents perhaps are considering a Catholic education.”
While news of the closings was upsetting for Durkin, the future of Catholic education for students at Notre Dame looks bright.
“We are in fine shape, that’s why we’re staying open,” Durkin said. “Our pastor is very supportive of the school and our school parents are very supportive as well. Our parents club works very hard on all kinds of fun and fundraising events.”
The Notre Dame School has been around for 62 years.
“We have great spirit here and a vibrant school community,” Durkin said.
