Editor’s Note: This year, Nov. 12-18 is Discover Catholic Schools Week, a national initiative started by the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), to help promote Catholic schools and Catholic education across the country. Here Marianela Nuñez of the Diocese of Camden highlights the excellence that can be found in South Jersey Catholic Schools.
Catholic school enrollment in the Diocese of Camden has seen a significant increase this year, with South Jersey Catholic schools welcoming 188 new students and their families into the community. School leaders have not only successfully retained existing students but have also attracted new ones, resulting in a commendable overall enrollment increase of 2.3% from Pre-K to 12th in diocesan schools. This growth is a cause for celebration, highlighting the valuable contribution of these schools to the South Jersey area.
“At Wildwood Catholic Academy, we feel blessed to have so many new families joining our community. Prospective students and parents appreciate our family-like atmosphere. Our students and staff exhibit a welcoming spirit that is evident the moment you enter the building,” said Lauren Zuccarello, director of enrollment at the North Wildwood school.
The increase in enrollment is particularly notable in certain grade levels, such as fourth, seventh and eighth grades, with eighth grade experiencing the highest growth rate at 9.3%.
High school enrollment has also surged by 7.5% in our diocesan high schools, while Pre-K programs have seen a remarkable 9.5% increase this year.
Principal Kyle Orosz of Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral School, Camden, and Glenna Harkins, director of enrollment for the Catholic Partnership Schools, attribute the school’s growth to word-of-mouth referrals, a strong Parent-Teacher Organization that fosters community building, and the dedication of teachers. Additionally, factors such as the expansion of dual language Pre-K programs, adjustments to accommodate more students in the building, diverse extracurricular activities, community partnerships for their aftercare program, and high standardized scores have contributed to the appeal of the school.
Dr. Janice Fipp, principal of Saint Joseph Regional School, Somers Point, emphasized the importance of retention strategies. Activities like summer gatherings for new families and play dates prior to the school year have facilitated a sense of belonging among students, ensuring their emotional well-being and happiness, which are crucial for parents seeking a nurturing educational environment.
Fern Love, director of the Pre-K program at Rosebud Academy in Barrington – the Pre-K program of Saint Rose of Lima School, Haddon Heights – attributes the enrollment success to two main reasons: the school’s commitment to meeting the needs of the family system, and the promise of providing a developmentally stimulating education for children. “Our task is to create a safe, welcoming, challenging and faith-filled educational environment and to meet the needs of the families both logistically and financially. By that I mean, the program has to be priced reasonably enough for parents to be able to afford to choose it, while the curriculum has to be in line with their morals and values. I think we’ve done a great job with both of those things.”
When meeting the needs of parents at Rosebud Academy, Love revealed that they “are able to develop very customized relationships with families. [We] listen and respond. For instance, we moved our before-care start time from 7:30 to 7:15 a.m. to accommodate the teachers who send their children to Rosebud and need to be at work at 7:30. [We] have a separate dismissal time for children who have siblings in other schools to relieve the pressure that those stressful windows of time can cause for parents. This customized customer service means a lot to parents who are struggling and want to do the right thing for their children. We provide a soft place for them to land.”
Philip Gianfortune, principal of Paul VI High School, Haddonfield, and Dr. Fipp pointed out that the key to retaining families lies in being mission-centered and in bringing happiness to students. This happiness, coupled with a curriculum emphasizing academic rigor and faith-based values, leads to well-rounded, service-oriented students. Effective communication, attention to detail, and responsive handling of parent inquiries are also vital in keeping families engaged and satisfied with their choice of Catholic education, Dr. Fipp emphasized.
Fran Watson, advancement director at Saint Rose of Lima School, expressed that some families who came to Catholic schools “expecting to find shelter from a short storm – and ended up finding a home” have been spreading the word about what they have encountered in Catholic education. From there, their enrollment has continued to grow as more families share their stories about how the school has made a difference in their lives. This surge in student enrollment reflects the dedication of educators, parents and the community to provide high-quality, faith-based education.
The Diocese of Camden’s commitment to academic excellence, moral values and community support has made Catholic education the preferred choice for many families in the region.
With an enrollment of 10,224 students today, the increase signifies not just numerical growth but also a positive impact on students and their families. The future holds immense promise for South Jersey; as schools adapt to the changing educational landscape and strive for excellence, it is likely that even more students will choose Catholic education as their preferred path for personal and academic growth.
The Diocese of Camden’s enrollment growth tells a heartening story of progress and promise for the future, demonstrating the enduring value of faith-based education in today’s world.
As said by Love, “We didn’t do anything different than we always do. We put the needs of children and parents first, and by doing what’s right in our little world, we hope and pray –emphasis on the pray – that it spreads to the greater good. And I think that people really appreciate that.”
Marianela Nuñez is director of enrollment and outreach for the Office of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Camden.
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