Last Catholic school in Salem County to close
The Diocese of Camden in South Jersey is closing the last Catholic school in Salem County.
The Diocese of Camden in South Jersey is closing the last Catholic school in Salem County.
The announcement came yesterday in a letter to parents of students at Bishop Guilfoyle Regional School in Carneys Point and posted on the diocesan Web site.
Church officials cited population declines in the area and falling enrollment as factors in the decision to close the school at the end of the school year.
They also said the drop in enrollment coincides with a "decline in religious practice" at the school's supporting parishes.
Enrollment dropped from 373 students in 2001-2002 to 111 this year, leading to a $400,000 deficit this year.
The school is housed in the former St. James High School building and was created after the diocese closed other elementary schools in the area 10 years ago.
Falling enrollment and growing deficits has prompted the diocese to close and consolidate a number of schools in recent years.
The diocese covers all of South Jersey south of Burlington County, which is in the Diocese of Trenton.
