Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Announces Catholic Elementary School Changes

PITTSBURGH, Pa., March 17, 2018 — The Pre-K–8 education programs at North American Martyrs School and Saint Bernadette School, both in Monroeville, and the Pre-K–8 education programs at Assumption School in Bellevue and Northside Catholic School in Brighton Heights will merge effective for the 2018-2019 school year. The Pre-K–8 education program at Saint Rosalia Academy in Greenfield will close at the end of this school year. These announcements were made this weekend at Masses and to teachers and school families in all of those communities.
 
The changes announced are part of the On Mission for The Church Alive! initiative and the ongoing regionalization of schools in the North Hills and Pittsburgh-East regions of the diocese.
 
The decision to merge North American Martyrs and Saint Bernadette Schools was recommended by the pastors of North American Martyrs and Saint Bernadette Parishes, Father Joseph Luisi and Father Anthony Gargotta, respectively, after a task force they convened completed its work. Consultation with the administrations and parents of both schools, as well as the pastoral and finance councils of the parishes were part of the efforts of the task force.
 
“I grant permission of your request to merge North American Martyrs and Saint Bernadette Schools, under the new name Divine Mercy Academy, effective at the beginning of the 2018–2019 school year,” Bishop Zubik wrote in a letter to Fathers Gargotta and Luisi.
 
Both schools buildings will remain open as a result of the merger. The K–8 education program will be located at the Saint Bernadette Campus. The Pre-K education program will be located at the North American Martyrs Campus. 
 
In their letter to Bishop Zubik, Fathers Gargotta and Luisi cited declining enrollment and increasing financial challenges as the reasons for their request to merge the schools.
 
The decision to close Saint Rosalia Academy was recommended by the pastor of Saint Rosalia Parish, Father Joseph Reschick. This recommendation was made after consultation with the pastoral and finance councils of Saint Rosalia Parish and the administration of Saint Rosalia Academy.
 
“I grant permission to your request to close Saint Rosalia Academy effective at the end of the 2017-2018 school year,” Bishop Zubik wrote in a letter to Father Reschick. “Given the importance of Catholic schools, I know that you will encourage your parishioners to continue their support for Catholic education.”
 
In his letter to Bishop Zubik, Father Reschick cited a sharp decline in enrollment and substantial financial challenges as the reasons for his request to close the school.
 
Current students of Saint Rosalia Academy will be assisted in finding another Catholic school to attend and those students supported by the Extra Mile Education Foundation will continue to have the opportunity for a Catholic education available to them.
 
The recommendations to close Saint Rosalia Academy and to merge North American Martyrs and Saint Bernadette Schools were both endorsed by the Pittsburgh-East Regional Catholic Elementary Schools (PERCES) Advisory Board, as well. The PERCES Advisory Board, a group of pastors and lay members, is studying the financial, demographic and enrollment situations of the schools in the East city neighborhoods and East suburbs of Pittsburgh and looking at ways to ensure vibrant Catholic education programs in this region.
 
The decision to merge Assumption and Northside Catholic Schools was recommended by the North Hills Regional Catholic Elementary Schools (NHRCES) Board of Directors after a task force studying the future of Assumption School and Northside Catholic School completed their work. This recommendation was made to the NHRCES Members, Most Rev. David A. Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh, Very Rev. Lawrence A DiNardo, Vicar General of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and Anna B. Torrance, Esq., Secretary for External Affairs for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Consultation with the pastors of Assumption Parish and the parishes that support Northside Catholic School, and the administrations and parents of both schools was part of the efforts of the task force.
 
“The Members of NHRCES, Inc. approve the recommendation of the Board of Directors to merge Assumption and Northside Catholic Schools effective for the 2018-2019 school year,” Bishop Zubik wrote in a letter to the NHRCES Board of Directors.
 
Only the Northside Catholic School building will remain open as a result of the merger. The Pre-K–8 education program will be located there and the school will operate under a new name, to be submitted by the task force and approved by Bishop Zubik.
                                                                                                                     
“The Members would like to recognize the tremendous efforts of so many parents and parishioners who have dedicated for over 100 years to providing Catholic education to generations of students at Assumption School,” Bishop Zubik also wrote.
 
In their letter to Bishop Zubik, the NHRCES Board of Directors cited the better overall condition of the Northside Catholic building and important amenities, such as a gymnasium and integral cafeteria, not available at the Assumption campus, as some of the reasons for their request to utilize the Northside Catholic School building.
 
Dr. Michael Latusek, diocesan Superintendent for Catholic Schools, recognized the sadness that comes with such announcements, while praising the efforts of school leaders, parents and the community in supporting these schools.
 
“While schools may need to merge and close we continue to work to strengthen the value of Catholic education for the students and families we are called to serve,” Dr. Latusek said. “We will be assisting families of current Saint Rosalia Academy students in every way possible to attend another available Catholic school. We will also be supporting the Monroeville and Northside communities in forming new school families that are united to provide for the needs of their students.”
 
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh operates the fourth largest system of schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with approximately 17,000 students and nearly 1,500 teachers in 69 elementary, Pre-K and special schools, and 12 secondary schools.