As Catholic Schools Close, One Summit School Expands Programs

SUMMIT, NJ — This week is Catholic Schools Week, and while religion-based schools have been closing over the years (at least 14 Catholic schools in New Jersey in the last three school years, according to one source), there is some positive news.

Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, based in Summit, said they have seen steady growth in applications (up 137 percent in one year), and have maintained their enrollment.

The school noted that according to data compiled by the National Catholic Educational Association, half of the nation's Catholic schools have closed since 1960 (12,893 down to 6,429). Reasons include fewer people entering the clergy, increased tuition, and fewer people in general practicing the faith.

But During Catholic Schools week, which began on Sunday and runs through this Saturday, Oak Knoll has planned programs all week to engage their students, including both serious events like fundraising for local charities, and fun activities like pajama day.

The school runs from pre-K 4 (a new program), through high school. It currently has 504 students enrolled. Top towns sending students include Berkeley Heights, Chatham, Madison, Millburn/Short Hills, Summit, and Westfield.

This week, Oak Knoll’s Student Council is raising funds for two charities – Coins for Camp and CancerCare. Coins for Camp is a camp opportunity for middle school students at the Cornelia Connelly Center for Education in New York City, a school for girls at risk (https://www.connellycenter.org/). CancerCare provides free support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical, and financial challenges of cancer. (https://www.cancercare.org/)

On the more light-hearted side, on Monday, students at the school started the week with hot cocoa in homeroom. The third graders had a discussion about future careers. On Tuesday, the various classes shot hoops to raise money for cancer, with a prize for the homeroom scoring the most baskets. On Friday, the various grade levels will dress up according to different themes, from superheroes to the 1960s.

School officials took the opportunity to reflect on how Catholic schools can keep students engaged and raise enrollment again.

“The uptick of student applications to our school is truly a testament to our motto, faith, wisdom and service,” says Timothy Saburn, head of school since 2005. “This proves that more students than ever believe in an education that’s not only strong in academics, but instills the value of faith while learning how to give back to those who are less fortunate on a local and global scale. We are so proud to have a hand in molding our students into good humans."

Officials noted a combination of programs and classes that speak to the whole child.

As far as religion, the school hosts weekly masses, offers prayer services, Rosary reflections, and other religious activities. They also engage in service learning, both volunteerism and fundraising for local programs.

The school boasts an athletics program with 15 varsity sports, and programs to assist "social-emotional learning," or working on interpersonal skills and awareness.

They're already planning new programs for next year, like EmpowerHER for girls in seventh grade in the Upper School.

The new preK, meanwhile, "plans to engage students in a way that sparks their creativity and critical thinking while fostering the development of their independence and self-esteem," according to the website.

The school was founded in 1924. More information is here.