Catholic schools in the Diocese of Camden have been open for in-person learning five days a week since Sept. 8, 2020. The decision to reopen caused some families to leave, uncertain about the path of the Coronavirus. But most students returned, and many new families looking for an in-person learning experience enrolled in Catholic schools for the first time.
Now is the time when current families re-register for the coming school year. Based on numbers to date and feedback from school advancement directors, retention rates are high. At the same time, interest from prospective families, who may enroll at any time during the year, is constant.
“Catholic schools are poised to come back in a big way,” said Carol Kirchman, advancement director at Saint Mary School in Vineland. “I feel that once families are here they are going to realize how good it is and they’re going to stay.”
Kirchman speaks from experience. By February, 100% of Saint Mary families had re-registered for the 2021-22 school year.
“Families are grateful and thankful that we’re here,” she said, adding that many families who joined the school community this year have referred friends and relatives for the coming school year.
At Our Lady of Hope Regional School in Blackwood, advancement director Betty Kuvinka manages a steady stream of inquiries from prospective families.
“I wish I was recording each story. Parents are at their wits end,” she said.
Kuvinka said prospective parents have described children who were once great students and loved school as being disengaged, no longer wanting to log in to remote learning.
“This is an awakening for them. I’m praying we can fit them all,” she said.
Kuvinka also said families are looking for more than just a seat in the classroom. “They ask a lot of questions about curriculum,” she said. She noted that many have considered Catholic school in the past and embrace the faith component, adding that parish priests have been especially supportive in directing parents to the school.
School advancement directors help families discover a permanent home in South Jersey Catholic Schools. At Saint Michael the Archangel Regional School in Clayton, advancement director Kelly Riordan sees her role as a calling. And she is grateful for a network of colleagues at other Catholic schools throughout the diocese.
“We’re all answering the call together,” she said. “It’s like a lifeline of resources.”
Riordan said it’s difficult when prospective families want to come into a grade that is filled. “You know they belong here, there’s a fit. You want to give them the security other families have,” she said.
Marianela Nuñez, director of enrollment and outreach for diocesan schools, keeps a close eye on enrollment trends and regularly collects data from all schools.
“The pandemic has limited our capacity,” she said. “Families that might have dragged their feet in the past have re-registered for next year because they don’t want to lose their spot. If restrictions are lifted, we will be able to increase the class size in some of our schools, but for now we are planning responsibly based on current guidelines.”
Nuñez recommends families who want to enroll in a Catholic school move forward with registration, even if a class is currently full. “A lot can happen between now and the start of the school year,” she said. “Our vision is to be able to welcome every family that wants a Catholic school education.”
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