'Severe budget deficits:' Several Catholic schools in Brooklyn to close, merge

Some major changes are in store as several Catholic academies in the borough are set to close or merge at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.

News 12 Staff

Feb 11, 2019, 11:05 AM

Updated 1,893 days ago

Share:

Some major changes are in store as several Catholic academies in the borough are set to close or merge at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Academy in Mill Basin is one of the three Catholic academies closing their doors.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Academy is also among one of the schools closing, as well as another school in Queens.
Meanwhile Saint Frances Cabrini Catholic Academy and Saint Brigid Catholic Academy will merge effective for the 2019-2020 school year.
The new school will be located at St. Brigid's in Bushwick and will be called St. Brigid-St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Academy.
School officials say declining enrollment and the severe budget deficits are the reasons that decision was made.
News 12 is told students at the affected schools will be accommodated at nearby Catholic academies and as long as they've met all their financial obligations, they'll received a $500 tuition assistance grant if they attend an academy or parish school within the Diocese of Brooklyn.
The superintendent called the situation an emotional time, adding these decisions came after intense analysis. 
Parents tell News 12 they found out about the closing at a board meeting last week.
"We asked them if a tuition increase would help. I kid you not, the whole meeting everyone was just sitting there like, 'The school is closed, there's nothing you can do," says Christ Dabel, a parent at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Academy.
News 12 is told information meetings will be held this week.
Parents rallied together Monday night in Flatlands, trying to think up what they can do to save the schools and considering the responsibilities they are willing to take up to raise money for them.


More from News 12
1:30
Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

2:03
Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

1:50
Concern growing over homeless shelter near West Babylon day care

Concern growing over homeless shelter near West Babylon day care

2:00
John Theissen Children's Foundation opens Family Fun Center in Wantagh

John Theissen Children's Foundation opens Family Fun Center in Wantagh

0:13
Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

0:47
Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

0:42
Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

1:55
8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

2:27
2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

0:25
Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

1:34
Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

0:44
NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

1:09
The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

1:52
Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

0:37
North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

0:22
Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

1:45
Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

0:30
Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

0:19
Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex

Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex