St. Peter High School to close in June
Bishop cites high cost, decreased enrollment as reasons for closing
By Chris Donahue
Staff Writer
PISCATAWAY — Citing the “enormous expense” needed to keep St. Peter the Apostle High School open, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski announced Feb. 12 that it will close after 120 years of operation.
St. Peter High School, located on Somerset Street in New Brunswick, has an enrollment of 161 students in grades nine to 12 and a staff of 30. Operated by St. Peter the Apostle Parish, New Brunswick, it is one of only two high schools operated by parishes and one of a six total Catholic high schools within the Diocese of Metuchen.
St. Peter the Apostle Elementary School, which was founded in 1846, will remain open.
“The decision to close our oldest high school was truly most difficult,” the bishop said in a letter mailed to parents Feb. 12. “It took some time but, as the one accountable for good stewardship of the funds generously given to support our diocese’s many charitable, educational and pastoral ministries, I have finally accepted the realization that St. Peter High School must close at the end of this school year.
“In its early years, the high school was not a financial burden to the parish,” he continued. “As the demographics in New Brunswick changed, however, the school’s enrollment dropped, and the cost of operating the high school increased. By 1997, the parish was no longer able to subsidize the high school. As evidence of its commitment to education in the inner city, the diocese decided to financially support St. Peter High School.
“During the past decade, the diocese — together with the school and parish — had made valiant efforts to revitalize St. Peter’s. Catholic School Management, an educational consulting firm, was hired to work with the administration, faculty and parents to rejuvenate the school. The end result was only mildly successful.
“In 2002, high school administration presented the diocese with a five-year plan in which one goal stated the school would be subsidy-free at the end of the five years. That goal was not attained. Next, a feasibility study was conducted to determine if St. Peter High School could become a Cristo Rey School. There was strong objection from the school leadership and the plan was abandoned.
“Since the diocese began fully subsidizing St. Peter High School 10 years ago, we have given over $6.5 million towards its operation. This past year alone, the high school initially received a $350,000 subsidy from the diocese, and then, just a few weeks ago, a request was made for an additional $235,000 to complete the school year. It was then that I decided the diocese cannot continue to support the high school.”
The bishop said next year it could possibly cost the diocese another $500,000 to keep the school open.
“My decision to close the high school cannot be reversed,” the bishop said. “The diocese’s focus now will be on our students, our faculty and staff. We will work with parents to facilitate the transition of students to other Catholic high schools and are ready to assist the faculty in obtaining new positions.”
Diocesan officials are scheduled to meet with the school community Feb. 15.
What would become St. Peter the Apostle High began as St. Agnes Academy in the mid-1880s, according to school archives. Father James O’Grady, pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, bought land on Somerset Street between Division and Hardenberg streets and established the academy, which was staffed by the Sisters of Charity. The school provided a three-year high school program and graduated its first class in 1887.
In 1892, Columbia Hall was built and the students from both the elementary school and the high school moved into the facility.
In 1907, St. Agnes Academy was renamed St. Peter the Apostle High School. In 1939, the school moved to an annex on Hardenberg Street.
The building that currently houses the elementary school, gymnasium and cafeteria was built in 1960 under the supervision of then-pastor Msgr. James Harding.
In 1968, Columbia Hall was closed and demolished and the new high school building was opened in 1970 under then-pastor Msgr. John Endebrock.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law