The Ascension School at 220 West 108th Street (Google Maps)
For the first time since 1911, students will not be returning to The Ascension School in the fall. After 112 years, the Catholic elementary and middle school — located at 220 West 108th Street — officially shut its doors on Friday, June 16.
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In a shocking move that left parents scrambling to find alternative learning facilities for their children, the Archdiocese of New York announced the closure back in February, coupled with the shuttering of eleven other Catholic schools throughout Manhattan and the Bronx (including the Holy Family School, whose alumni list includes Jennifer Lopez). “It is never a good day when we announce closures to any of our beloved schools, but the goal is always to strengthen the remaining institutions and preserve Catholic education in New York for decades to come,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, stated in a press release at the time.
Despite generations of devoted families attending schools including Ascension, shifting demographics which resulted in decreased enrollment ultimately led to the demise. In fact, back in February, Our Town reported that Catholic schools had seen a 17 percent drop in enrollment since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. A source suggested the Archdiocese was forced to underwrite the struggling schools, resulting in a yearly bill of $28 million.
This isn’t the first time in recent years that the Catholic school system has been called into question due to financial concerns. Back in 2013, 24 Catholic schools in the tri-state area closed after failing to prove they could survive without Archdiocese bailouts. Last-minute fundraisers fell flat, and students were dispersed to other institutions.
Today’s young learners will meet a similar fate, as Michael J. Deegan, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York, explained, “I personally mourn the loss of every one of our great schools. However, as we process this news, we must resolve that the great tradition of Catholic education in New York will continue, and we will assist all students who are seeking to carry on their Catholic education to find a seat at another excellent school in the Archdiocese.”
Jacquelyn Alvarez, principal of Ascension, assured The Spirit that former students will be “moving on to great things because they are amazing children.”
Gotta close the schools, the Cardinal needs his money! He might want a new private plane or just some new silks or fund his run for Pope or more importantly fund his support for the Republican Party. Isn’t it amazing the dioceses owns the buildings but they don’t think they should have to support the schools… well of course not. They are working hard to get the people in this country subjected to an authoritarian theocracy. Won’t need catholic schools the. The Churchnis taking over the health care system…women are truly in danger.
Dolan has never cared mush about schools, children or hospital. It’s all about the power to condemn, demonize and dictate to the rest of us how to live while Church ignores the truth and pretend paradox is faith and the hypocrisy of the Hierarchy should be accepted as part of that faith.
Amen!
You have no idea what you’re talking about. Abortion is catastrophic to families and individuals. 60 million have never been given a chance to live. New York has the most liberal abortion laws in the country and likely in the world. I’m not saying it should be outright banned but even the unborn deserve the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
The country with the most abortions is China. more than 300 million.
The health care system and most of science is the result of the church. The history is not without it’s flaws tragedies and controversy. Just like any other institution, government or person. All of history is full of humans.
Everyone needs money. It’s interesting that most of the closed schools are becoming charter schools that because they charge the city more than most Catholic schools could charge the families.
Out of the majority of people I’ve met, the students who attend these schools have proportionally less resentments about their education than others.
Actually, you have no idea what you’re talking about
Thankfully we live in a city that isn’t infested by ChristoFascists like the south.
You know what is really catastrophic to families? Forcing a woman to carry a child to term whose lungs can’t and won’t function, so the parents can watch their child suffering and suffocating to death.
Forcing a young girl to carry a rapist’s baby to term. Forcing a woman to go into sepsis before she can be treated after a miscarriage.
Those things are catastrophic.
Allowing women to exercise agency over their own bodies is not
Thomas Jefferson wrote “Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of common law” and “Erecting the wall of separation between Church and State is absolutely essential in a free society”
Our founders never intended for Christian laws to govern this great country. Most of us understand that.
The rest of you are no better than the Taliban. And that’s a fact
As John Adams said “The United States is not a Christian nation. Just as it is not a Jewish or a Mohammaden nation”
Don’t like it? Move to the Vatican
Let the Catholick Church sell a Michelangelo or 2 and use that money to pay for the schools.
Catholic Church is no different than any other corporate entity – the bottomline is money, not the gospel. As one of the richest corporate entities on the planet, they should not be closing schools and hospitals. Some schools yes, due to diminishing communities. But no excuse with hospitals. The sick will always be among us with many needing serious hospitalization. Sadly, the great wealth of The Vatican is far removed from while hypocritically lecturing the world about concern for the needy.
I want to the best for your children to get the best education , and literally we all have to pay for it . My daughter’s catholic tuition raise in 2 years . The pandemic let us all struggle we all trying to catch up but who when will that . You apply aid for the catholic school and goodness oh what you qualified for although something is better than nothing . And i noticed with catholic school the higher the grades get the lower enrolled is as-well of each school year 2 tuition leave and students are not coming back. And why is that . So no we all have to think good , mortgage , health insurance or tuition which one to pay and they is no help out there to get . And when you applied for help you are never qualified and they are tell you to applied for help . And also who wonder why there is so much homeless people on the streets and I’m not say they all deserve to be there , there might be victims for circumstance and other stuff in there life .
Catholic school just raise the tuition with know notice or warning you check on the website and you see I it .
I’m my area there is only one catholic elementary school , we had two they close one and send it to another city , which can’t understand why and the building is just sitting collecting dust and it own my a seven day Adventist church , I thought they would have turn it in a seven day Adventist catholic school by now , oh no it’s just sitting there empty and looking creepy .
And i can’t see why teachers are leaving the catholic school they properly get a better paying job and students are leaving parents can’t no longer afford it or move away .
So where are we turn for help
have to pay legal for all the lawsuits
Cardinal Dolan continues to sit in hs 18,000 square foot home paying no taxes and not even being a bit charitable letting some migrants or homeless live with him. A better decision by the church is to keep the school and get rid of hiis housing.