Cohoes Catholic School closing

The Diocese of Albany has announced that Cohoes Catholic School will close in June due to declining enrollment. Just 73 students now attend the school, down from 200 five years ago.

The Cohoes Catholic School Board made the recommendation, which was accepted by pastors in Cohoes, and then approved by the Diocesan School Board and Bishop Howard J. Hubbard.

Cohoes Catholic was established in 1996 as the final result of several consolidations of area parish schools that began in 1971.

"Unfortunately, due to the low enrollment and the lack of financial resources from tuition, there was no other option," said Sister Jane Herb, IHM, superintendent of the Diocesan Catholic School Office. "It's discouraging when you see a school that has a fine program, and families aren't choosing it."

It's unfortunate, she told The Evangelist, that the announcement coincided with Catholic Schools Week, but "to implement anything for the next school year, we have to give people as much notice as possible."

St. Mary's School in Waterford, St. Ambrose School in Latham and St. Brigid's School in Watervliet are the nearest to Cohoes; each has room to accommodate students from Cohoes Catholic.

In addition, schools within the Diocese will be encouraged to give teachers from Cohoes Catholic first priority as they fill vacancies for the upcoming school year.

(1/22/04)