Catholic School in Manasquan to Close Due to Low Enrollment

One local Catholic school has fallen victim to the troubled economy, and is set to close in 2015 due to declined enrollment.

School officials from St. Denis School in Manasquan announced Tuesday that it will close its door for good after the school year ends, alongside Holy Family School in Lakewood, according to the Asbury Park Press.

According to the Rev. Edward H. Blanchett, of St. Denis Church, there are only 107 currently enrolled students, which is down significantly from close to 400 students during its peak years in the 1970’s.

Officials cited the fact that more parents are placing children in public schools because of the cost of private schools. St. Denis School tuition is $4,990 a year for one student, officials said.

Two Shore area Catholic schools will close in 2015, citing declining enrollment in recent years as more families opt to send their children to public schools.

Officials from both St. Denis School in Manasquan and Holy Family School in Lakewood confirmed Tuesday that the schools would shut down at the end of this school year.

Blanchett said the school attempted to cut expenses, consolidate teacher functions, and received monetary help from both St. Denis Church and the local Catholic parish, but the school was still unable to cover the costs of educating students.

St. Denis has been working in conjunction with St. Catharine School in Spring Lake, St. Dominic School in Brick and St. Rose Grammar School in Belmar to help with student transfers.