No One Is Immune. We Will All Be Affected

Over the past 2 decades, we have witnessed an absolute eradication of Catholic schools.  Albeit, most were located in lower income African-American and Hispanic enclaves, there were also a significant number of schools closed in more affluent areas such as Addison, LaGrange Park, Lake Forest, Niles and Northfield.  My children attend an elementary school in LaGrange and my oldest (graduates this year) indicates her classmates have dwindled in number year after year.


Given the economic constraints that affect all, it is not surprising.  One parent I know is an attorney who just became employed after almost 18 months out of work.  Another dad works at a Target store after losing his professional job and not being able to find equivalent employment.  Overall, as a community, we collectively are struggling to make ends meet.  A Catholic school payment 10 months of the year could quickly be categorized as a luxury rather than a necessity.

Once that happens, your school, your community, your life can change in an instant.

The following chart shows a brief history of school closings by the Chicago Archdiocese:

Year Elementary Secondary Total Site Closures 1984 11 0 11 0 1985 3 1 4 0 1986 6 0 6 0 1987 6 1 7 0 1988 5 3 8 0 1989 1 1 2 0 1990 18 1 19 3 1991 2 0 2 0 1992 6 0 6 0 1993 6 1 7 0 1994 10 1 11 0 1995 1 0 1 0 1996 4 1 5 0 1997 2 1 3 0 1998 5 0 5 1 1999 5 2 7 0 2000 1 0 1 1 2001 6 2 8 4 2002 17 1 18 0 2003 6 1 7 1 2004 9 1 10 0 2005 23 0 23 2 153 18 171 12