Founded in 1907, to close in 2012
St. Ignatius Loyola School, from which Inigo Hicks graduated in 1973, will close next year. The decision to close the school was made by Bishop Murphy of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, who cited declining enrollment to explain his decision. Enrollment has indeed plummeted; this year St. Ignatius has a mere 164 students, spread from kindergarten through 8th grade, which reflects a decline of 40% since 2000. When Inigo Hicks entered St. Ignatius back in 1965 there were 200 students in the first grade alone. I also note that there are but three sisters on the school's faculty; there were likely more than 20 back in the mid 1960's.
I mourn the death of the school, since the years I spent at St. Ignatius Loyola were the happiest of my educational life. I also mourn what the passing out of existence of St. Ignatius Loyola School portends - the end of Catholicism on a large scale in the US. We are enduring a crisis of faith which has reduced our numbers, along with our other resources. One wonders what will remain by the time the crisis passes.
St. Ignatius Loyola, pray for us.
RELATED: Archbishop Chaput levels with the people of the Philadelphia Archdiocese.
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