Catholic school enrollment falls 2.6 percent nationally; suburban schools growing

(RNS) - Enrollment at Catholic schools has fallen 2.6 percent from last year, with 173 schools closed or consolidated and 37 new schools opened, according to the National Catholic Educational Association.

The statistics, released March 29 during NCEA's annual convention in Philadelphia, reflect continuing challenges for urban schools where the number of students has dwindled even as many suburban schools have wait lists.

"Losing more than 100 of these schools this past year is a tragedy, not only for our church but for our country," NCEA president Michael Guerra said.

Enrollment at the 7,799 elementary and secondary schools stood at 2.4 million for the 2004-2005 school year, a drop of 200,000 from five years ago. About three-quarters of the students are elementary-age.