WORCESTER – Holy Name Central Catholic and St.Peter-Marian high schools will merge together to become a single school beginning next fall.
The Diocese of Worcester made the announcement on Wednesday.
In a letter to families of students, Superintendent of Catholic Schools David Perda said, “Joining Holy Name and St. Peter-Marian into a single Catholic junior/senior high school allows us to educate and prepare students more effectively than we could by continuing to operate two schools.”
Perda noted the substantial drop-off in enrollment in both schools over the past 15 years [66 percent drop at SPM, 42 percent at HN] as the major factor for the decision.
Martin Green, chair of the Catholic School Board, said, “Given the steady decline in enrollment at these two schools for more than a decade, we have reached the point where either facility has more than ample space to accommodate the total enrollments of both schools with room to spare. It would be a far better use of financial and human resources to consolidate and put more resources into furthering educational opportunities at one facility.”
Over the winter break, site assessment at both schools will be done.
“The purpose of this work phase is to determine which present campus should serve as the future site of the new school in light of both short and long-term facility needs,” Perda said.
The decision on a permanent school site will be made in early March. Whichever school the Diocese doesn’t use, they will sell and use the proceeds from the sale of the property to invest in the existing high school.
“I am convinced that the only way to move forward to grow our Catholic secondary education in Worcester is with a new vision,” said Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester. “Change is difficult but we must be prudent with the resources that are available and focus on the future for these young people. Both as a priest and a bishop, I have personally experienced how Catholic education is a vital ministry in the life of a Diocesan Church and I thank God for the many staff, volunteers and families who have invested of themselves and made sacrifices for the good of our students.”
Early next year, the Diocese will hold listening session for parents, faculty members and staff, alumni, clergy and others, to provide input and ideas.
Follow us on The016.com, the social network for Worcester and you!
