Adobe Stock
Four Catholic schools in New Jersey permanently closed at the end of the 2024–’25 academic year, continuing a pattern of school closures tied to financial challenges and enrollment declines.
Among them was Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, which had operated for 100 years, NJ.com reported.
The school publicly announced its closure in February. In June, alumni and community members gathered on campus for a farewell Mass, building tours, and a final outdoor event.
Also closing in June were Aquinas Academy in Livingston, Visitation Academy in Paramus, and Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood. These closures bring the total number of Catholic schools that have shut down in New Jersey since 2020 to more than 30, according to NJ.com.
>> New Jersey parents rally to save beloved Catholic school from closure <<
Nationally, the number of Catholic schools dropped from 5,905 in the 2023–’24 academic year to 5,852 in 2024–’25, according to the National Catholic Educational Association. Current enrollment stands at approximately 1.68 million, a 14% decrease over the past decade, though the decline from the previous year was only 0.6%.
Some communities have responded by restructuring. In 2020, following plans to close Wildwood Catholic High School and Cape Trinity Catholic Elementary School, local supporters raised more than $1 million, enabling both schools to reopen as Wildwood Catholic Academy, a single K–12 institution.
>> Longstanding NJ Catholic school closes its doors with short notice, citing financial strains <<
