48 Philly Catholic Schools To Close, Reorganize

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The union representing teachers for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia says church leaders plan to close or consolidate 48 Roman Catholic schools due to rising costs and low enrollment.

Association of Catholic Teachers local president Rita Schwartz tells The Associated Press four high schools will close and 44 elementary schools will close or be partnered with other schools.

Church officials planned a news conference for Friday afternoon to release the full list.

The reorganization is the result of a yearlong analysis of the struggling Catholic school system that serves the city and four suburban counties.

The archdiocese has 178 schools serving about 68,000 students, which represents a 35 percent drop in enrollment since 2001.

The diocese did not immediately return a message seeking comment.