Another Area Catholic High School Is Closing

A surprise announcement this week that Niagara Catholic Junior/Senior High School in Niagara Falls will be closing.  The school's board of trustees voted to close the school when they found out an annual subsidy from the Buffalo Catholic Diocese would no longer be possible.

The Diocese website states that as a result of continued enrollment reductions, growing financial challenges and a significant reduction in Diocesan support, Niagara Catholic Junior/Senior High School on 66^th Street, will close its doors, effective immediately.

Judi Nolan Powell, the chair of the Governing Board of Niagara Catholic stated, "We have made every effort to consider the impact of our decision on all of our constituent members:  faculty, administration, and most importantly our customers - the parents who sacrifice to provide a Catholic education for their children but recognize that it is, in the long term, in the best interests of our families."

It leaves 121 students who had enrolled for the 2018-19 school year now forced to decide where to continue their education.  Among the options are Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda or any of the other Buffalo area Catholic High Schools.  Or they could opt to attend Niagara Falls High School.

Niagara Catholic was the lone remaining Catholic High School in Niagara County.  The Diocese also revealed that Niagara Academy would be adding 7th and 8th grade classes to accommodate students displaced by the closing of Niagara Catholic.