7 Catholic schools closing in city, Bucks

Seven Catholic schools in Philadelphia and Bucks County will close at the end of this term, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Monday morning.

The seven that are closing because of low enrollment are:

"It became clear that sustaining the schools would require a dramatic tuition increase that would preclude many families from providing a Catholic education to their children," the archdiocese said in a statement.

Students at the schools will be directed to other nearby schools, officials said.

At Ascension of Our Lord, 735 E. Westmoreland St., Philadelphia, next year's projected enrollment of 118 students would have been a 43 percent decrease over five years. Students will be directed to Our Lady of Port Richmond Regional School.

At Our Lady of Fatima, 2915 Street Rd., Bensalem, the projected enrollment for the fall was 132 students, a 30 percent decrease over five years. Our Lady of Fatima students will be directed to Saint Charles Borromeo School.

At Saint Anne, 2343 E. Tucker St., Philadelphia, the projected enrollment of 151 students would have been a 39 percent decrease over five years. Saint Anne students will be directed to Our Lady of Port Richmond Regional School.

At Saint Cyprian, 6225 Cedar Ave., Philadelphia, the projected enrollment of 115 students for the fall would have been a 50 percent decrease over five years. Saint Cyprian students will be directed to Saint Francis de Sales School, Mary Mother of Peace School and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament School.

At Saint Hugh of Cluny, 3501 N. Mascher St., Philadelphia, the projected enrollment of 99 students for the fall would have been a 56 percent decrease over five years. Students will be directed to Saint Veronica School.

At Saint Martin of Tours, 1 Riverstone Circle, New Hope, next year's projected enrollment of 126 students would have been a 12 percent decrease over five years. Students will be directed to Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Doylestown or Saint Andrew School in Newtown.

At Saint Thomas Aquinas, 130 Walnut Ave., Croydon, next year's projected enrollment of 116 students would have been a 42 percent decrease over five years. Students will be directed to Holy Family Regional School in Levittown, Saint Charles Borromeo in Bensalem, Saint Mark in Bristol, or Saint Michael the Archangel in Levittown.

"It is always a heartbreaking and difficult decision to close a school, especially when so many have given their time and talents to try and sustain it," said Superintendent Mary Rochford. "The reality is that these parishes can no longer sustain their schools with so few students."