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Though it might worry some at other schools, administrators at Saratoga Central Catholic High School in Saratoga Springs are proud that theirs is the smallest Catholic high school in the Albany Diocese.

"There are a lot of opportunities for young people," said Stephen Lombard, principal. He asserts that a school of 220 students is a better choice than schools with thousands of students.

Generally, Catholic schools in the Diocese and elsewhere face financial and other challenges. Many have launched innovative academic programs to maintain or boost enrollment while working to raise funds that will keep tuition reasonable.

In contrast, the school nicknamed "Spa Catholic" has maintained its fees and remained modest in size and aspirations.

At Spa Catholic, where between 60 and 70 percent of students are Catholic, there are no more than 20 students in a classroom at a time. In extracurricular activities, equal opportunity rules. If a child wants to join a club or a sport, he or she need only say the word.

Comfy cozy
Billy McDonough, a junior, plays baseball, basketball and golf. He spent sixth grade at a public school with 35 students to a class.

"I could not deal with it. I couldn't focus," Billy said.

"In this school," he continued, "the teachers know you. I feel like here, we're more of a family. We've got each other's backs."

Alex Kirby, a junior, agreed. "Everybody here knows everybody," she said. She likes that she's friends with students of all ages.

Though current enrollment has stayed stagnant recently, it is slated to increase next fall. It was higher, by 30 students, about 18 years ago. It dropped to 197 a few years ago and rose when the school added a sixth-grade program in 2006.

Oddly urban
The school is also unique in other ways. For one thing, it's the only Catholic high school in the Diocese that's located in the middle of a city.

The building was constructed in 1952 next to St. Peter's parish, on Broadway in downtown Saratoga, as an enlargement of St. Peter's Academy, which dates back to 1862. Seniors can roam downtown Saratoga Springs during lunch.

Students commute from as far west as Gloversville and as far south as Clifton Park. The strong fine arts program is attributed to community arts partnerships.

Moreover, the high school's tuition has remained at $6,800 for several years - and middle school tuition is taking a $2,000 cut next year.

"They've really worked hard to make that happen," said Sister Mary Jane Herb, IHM, superintendent of schools for the Diocese. She added that tuition should ideally increase each year as expenses increase; indeed, for 13 years, the tuition made an annual jump.

Sister Jane said it's inevitable that the school will be forced to raise tuition significantly all at once.

Money matters
But Mr. Lombard, who was named permanent principal in February after a stint as interim principal, wants the school to remain competitive.

"We have to hold the line because we are higher than other high schools," he explained.

Jean Taylor, Spa Catholic's director of development, admits parents may face a tuition increase eventually. But, for now, she added, administrators are good at budgeting carefully.

"We'd like to have maybe some more computers, but we can't have them all at once," Mrs. Taylor said.

Fundraising also helps keep the school afloat: alumni and friends have pledged several hundred thousand dollars over the years. Though donations are down this school year, they have picked up since January.

Plus, when the school lost about a dozen teachers in the past five years due to retirement or relocation, several were not replaced.

"Everybody's picked up a little something extra, not because they had to, but they may have offered," Mrs. Taylor said.

She does hope to see a few new teachers next year.

Helping hands
It's all about gradual spending and supplementing projects with other funding sources. For instance, the building's bottom floor was renovated over the course of a few years using funds squirreled away in the budget, as well as some grant money.

A drab, brick room was transformed into a bright chapel using donated pews and other furnishings from closed churches and labor from the Knights of Columbus (see previous story at www.evangelist.org).

Mr. Lombard highlighted the school's religious education program and its annual Giving Day, both begun by the late Rev. Anthony Maione, a former chaplain.

The day before Christmas break, students are deployed into the community to serve. They spend time with the second-graders at nearby St. Clement's School, bag groceries at Hannaford and Price Chopper supermarkets and serve breakfast to senior citizens.

On other days throughout the year, students can be found shooting hoops to raise money and awareness of orphans of HIV/AIDS or organizing a prom for students at a local BOCES school. They are required to log 20 service hours every year.

Alex, the junior, danced in the "Melodies of Christmas" show at Proctor's Theater in Schenectady. Proceeds went to support blood disorders.

Billy also had good memories of dancing: He'd taken to the dance floor with the students at the BOCES prom, his favorite service project.

"Everyone had a great time," he explained.

(04/01/10) [[In-content Ad]]

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