CHANGES COMING TO TWO DIOCESAN SCHOOLS

Catholic Central High School students will move to Notre Dame-Bishops Gibbons starting in the fall

Beginning with the start of the 2026-27 school year, high school students attending the Catholic Central School campus will move to Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School. 

Currently, Catholic Central has 22 students in grades 8-11, creating a situation that is not sustainable. Beginning with the new school year, the high school grades will move over to the campus at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons in Schenectady. Catholic Central School will continue to serve grades pre-K through 8, while Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons will continue to serve grades 6-12. 

“This is a difficult, but necessary decision, that I believe will help us to strengthen both schools moving forward,” said Bishop Mark O’Connell. “I am suggesting a model that I have seen work wonderfully while I served in the Archdiocese of Boston. “

The new model will create one school with two campuses, one in Latham, the other in Schenectady, with a president overseeing both. The position of president will be new to our Diocese.

“The president will bring a new vision, with innovative planning, and fundraising ideas, bringing new life and new opportunities to both campuses.” added Bishop Mark.

In addition, the two school boards will become one. They have already started working together with great success to shape a forward-looking approach for this new shared future.

“The School Boards of Catholic Central School and Notre Dame–Bishop Gibbons have worked together with remarkable cooperation, focus and a shared commitment to the mission of Catholic education over the past several weeks,” said Dr. Christopher Bott, Superintendent for the Catholic School Office. “Their thoughtful collaboration has been instrumental in developing this partnership.”

The Catholic School Office and the Diocese are also actively working to partner with institutions of higher education locally to develop new and exciting educational opportunities for our students.

To hear Bishop Mark’s video message to the Catholic Central and Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons communities, use this link: https://youtu.be/5zV93BZz770.