south boston catholic schools review presentation to parents and teachers january 2, 2008
TRANSCRIPT
South Boston Catholic Schools Review
Presentation to Parents and Teachers
January 2, 2008
2
DISCUSSION TOPICS
• South Boston Overview
• South Boston Catholic Schools Overview
• Vision for South Boston
• South Boston Catholic Schools Analysis
• Process and Timeline
• 2010 Initiative
3
What is the 2010 Initiative?
Archdiocesan-wide effort focused on improving, strengthening & revitalizing Boston’s Catholic Schools
Drawing upon collective experience: • Commitment to Catholic education – Cardinal O’Malley• Strategic Planning Committee – led by Jack Connors• Principals• Pastors• Local stakeholders• Professional education experts• Consultants• Community leaders
Create long-term system that will evolve, grow & develop to meet needs of students & community
4
DISCUSSION TOPICS
• South Boston Overview
• South Boston Catholic Schools Overview
• Vision for South Boston
• South Boston Catholic Schools Analysis
• Process and Timeline
• 2010 Initiative
5
Why South Boston?
Flat population growth over next 5 years
Fragile number of under 15 year olds projected for future
Strong elementary school competition
We cannot finance growing needs of the schools• Limited parish resources• Growing deferred maintenance
Quality schools require planning & resources to meet today’s needs:• Strong academic programs w/ technology• Competitively paid and trained teachers• Improved facilities• Pre-K programs• Extended Day programs
6
Why South Boston?
• “Doing Nothing is Not an Option”
• Plan for the future of our schools vs unexpected closings
• Capitalize on the new volunteer leadership that is emerging in the church
• Assure all families and students in South Boston a stronger Catholic elementary education system for the future
7
SOUTH BOSTON POPULATION IS PREDOMINANTLY YOUNG ADULTS
*Population Source:ESRI Boston, Claritas: S. Boston
Population by age, 2000Percent, Thousands of people
17 14
10 21
52 41
21 24
29.9
South Boston
589.1
Boston
<20
20-40
40-60
60+
100% =
Median age 34 31
• Largest cohort is 20-40 year olds, Median age is 34
• South Boston’s overall population expected to stay relatively flat over the next 5 years ~ 29.9 K people
• However, forecasts predict fewer people under 20 years of age in South Boston by 2010
School aged population
8
SOUTH BOSTON’S 0-15 YEAR OLD POPULATION REPRESENTS THE LARGEST POPULATION UNDER 20.
South Boston “under 20” population by corresponding age 2005Number of Children and Percentage of total it represents
•Appears that after 15, population declines•Under age 15 is somewhat fragile if young families continue to leave South Boston
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
0-4 Years 5.56%,1,653
5-9 Years 4.93%,1,466
10-14 Years 4.85%,1,443
15-17 Years2.66%,791
18-20 Years 2.43%,722
Source Claritas 2005, BRA Research
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SOUTH BOSTON OFFERS MULTIPLE SCHOOL CHOICES FOR PARENTS
• 12 elementary schools in the South Boston region– 3 Catholic schools– 9 Public/charter schools
• PreK/extended day care also offered at sites outside Catholic, charter and public schools
• METCO also an option for students (allowing inner city students to attend suburban schools)
• Public and charter schools do not charge tuition
• Catholic schools charge different tuition rates based on school, students’ financial need and additional fundraising commitment
• Overall, Suffolk County Public Schools are experiencing enrollment declines
• Charter Schools are gaining popularity among parents and enrollment is increasing
Source: S. Boston Catholic School Review, 11/07; team analysis
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OVERALL, FEWER 2ND-6TH GRADERS WERE ENROLLED INTO PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS IN SUFFOLK COUNTY
Students’ enrollment by grade in Suffolk County in public and charter schools, 2000-2004Thousands
Source:NCES (CCD); team analysis
75.8
79.8
79.0
76.7
72.8
76.8
76.8
74.5
78.3
77.3
70.6
74.9
73.3
71.6
71.4
72.8
Eighth
Seventh
Sixth
Fifth
Fourth
Third
Second
First 0.8
-1.5
-1.9
-1.8
-2.1
-1.3
0.0
0.8
1999
2004
NOT EXHAUSTIVE
CAGR, 1999-2004Percent
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DISCUSSION TOPICS
• 2010 Initiative
•
• South Boston Catholic Schools Overview
• Vision for South Boston
• South Boston Catholic Schools Analysis
• Process and Timeline
South Boston Overview
12
THERE ARE 3 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN SOUTH BOSTON
Source:School data
Gate of Heaven: PreK-8, single classes/grade (double Grade 2)
St. Brigid: PreK-6, single classes/grade (double grade K1, K2, 2)
St. Mary: K-8, single classes/grade
This review only focus’s on Gate of Heaven and Saint Brigid
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SOUTH BOSTON CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Key findings
• South Boston Catholic schools enrollment has been declining since 2000 (e.g., -42% average) and is expected to lose ~18% of its current student population by 2011
• The enrollment loss is occurring in both schools • Significant drops in enrollment from 2nd through 8th grade in St.
Brigid and in 7 & 8th in Gate of Heaven
• Losses in grades 3 & 4 due to Murphy School (public) draw and in grade 7 & 8 to Exam and Private Catholic Schools (BC High School and Catholic Memorial)
• Tuitions have increased yearly and have not covered the cost per pupil
Schools: Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid
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20
21
SOUTH BOSTON CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AVERAGE ~200 STUDENTS PER SCHOOL AND ~20 STUDENTS PER CLASS
*Occupied classrooms - represents a classroom and a class with an associated teacher
Source:School data
196
203Gate of Heaven
St. Brigid
Average: 200
SchoolEnrollmentStudents
18
24
Average: 21
Classrooms*Count
Student per classAverage count
Average:20 .5
2007
15
17
00
15131918
2723
3133
1816
1323
16
22
35
17
1317
13
SOUTH BOSTON CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT SKEWS BY GRADE
South Boston Catholic Schools enrollment by grade, 2007Number of students, per grade, total grade
PreK Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6K2 Grade 7 Grade 8
Gate of Heaven
St. Brigid
K1 Grade 1
South Boston Catholic Schools have a small penetration of Pre-K children in South Boston Enrollment size by grade drops dramatically after 2nd grade and then again in grades 7 and 8, even with
only one school offering 7th and 8th grades
Source:South Boston Catholic School Review, 11/07. Enrollment model; team analysis
30
5044
40
62
40
35
36
28
16 18
16
THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENT POPULATION IS SHRINKING AND EXPECTED TO DROP ~10-20% BY 2011
South Boston Catholic schools enrollment, 2003-2011ENumber of students
311399449475579614
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2011E
-34%
Projection
• The South Boston Catholic school enrollment has declined at ~34% since 2000
• Based on recent trajectories, the Catholic school student population will shrink by ~22% over the next 5 years
• Some of the student loss has come from students leaving for exam schools after 6th grade
Note:Based on 2000-2006 growth rates for each school
Source:Hill Hollilday model; team analysis
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203178229241269266268
CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT DECLINE BEEN STEADY OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS
Source:School information, ABSCO model; team analysis
Gate of Heaven enrollment, 2000-2006Number of students
388 400 383 373 350 297 246
2000 2003 2004 2005 2006
-36%
St. Brigid enrollment, 2000-2006Number of students
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
2001 2002
-24%
• Gate of Heaven Catholic school student population fell 36% 2000-2006
• St Brigid school enrollment decline has not been as precipitous as Gate of Heaven over thee last 6 years
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BASE CASE ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS ARE NOT VIABLE IN THE LONG-TERM
School 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010 2011
• Gate of Heaven
246 203 187 171 156 143 -103 -0.09
• St. Brigid 203 196 189 182 175 168 -35 -.04
2006-11CAGR2007-11 (%)
Source: School data; team analysis
Enrollment
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TUITION AND COST PER STUDENT IN SOUTH BOSTON CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
• St. Brigid
Tuition
Cost/studentDollars
Fin. aidPercent Fin. Situation
Positive
4,700 5,000 11
Source: South Boston Catholic School Review, 11/07; team analysis
• Gate of Heaven
Positive4,000 5,000 38
* School fund raises for tuition; $200.00 GOH and $800.00 for St Brigid
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MANY (POTENTIAL) CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS CANNOT AFFORD THE CURRENT TUITION RATES
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Gate OfHeaven
St. Brigid
38
11
24.5% On average need financial aid
On average, 24.5% of students cannot afford tuitionn average, 24.5% of students cannot afford tuitionOn
Average
Source: South Boston Schools , team analysis 11/07
Source: South Boston Schools , team analysis 11/07
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SOUTH BOSTON CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SERVE A HOMOGENOUS POPULATION, PRIMARILY CATHOLIC STUDENTS
194, 96% students
203 Total students
112% , 1, 1% students3 students, 2%
Source:South Bostonr Catholic School Review, 11/3/07; team analysis
192 students, 98%
196 Total students
1 students, .5%3 students, 1.5%
• Primarily a Caucasian student population• 94% Catholic Students
• Primarily a Caucasian population• 98.5% Catholic Students
Black
Asian
White
OtherGate of Heaven enrollment by ethnicity, 2007
St. Brigid enrollment by ethnicity, 2007
Hispanic
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DISCUSSION TOPICS
• 2010 Initiative
• South Boston Overview
• South Boston Catholic Schools Overview
• Vision for South Boston
• South Boston Catholic Schools Analysis
• Process and Timeline
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New Vision - Stronger Schools
Catholic Colleges
Partnership
New Academic Standards
Technology
Construction& Physical
Plant
Development
STRONGER SOUTH BOSTON SCHOOL SYSTEM
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New Vision - New Management Model
TODAY
Parish-Run Schools
PastorsPrincipals
Advisory Boards
Providing a strong Catholic education
TOMORROW
Board of TrusteesRun Schools
PastorsPrincipals
Experienced professionals:- Education- Marketing
- Fundraising
Strengthening Catholic education
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New Vision- Catholic Colleges Partnership
• Provide assistance through participation in the Board of Trustees
• Assist in formation of curriculum strategy & academic benchmarks
• Assist in staff development and training programs
Management
Curriculum
Staff Development
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New Vision-New Academic Standards
Curriculum Goals
1. Strengthen delivery of curriculum & broaden opportunities for instruction
2. Improve technology & integrate with curriculum
3. Provide professional development opportunities for our teachers and staff
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What Will Stay the Same?
Principal providing instructional leadership
Pastor heavily involved
Parish relationship with school families
Parish continues to promote importance of Catholic education
Financial assistance & family discounts available
Breakfast & lunch programs
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What Will Change?
More effective school = higher quality education for your children
Stronger governance model & school management will ensure long term stability of school
Curriculum upgrades, technology & quality study materials will help position your children for future success
More extracurricular activities, specials and extended summer programs
Upgraded school building & facilities for improved learning environment
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DISCUSSION TOPICS
• 2010 Initiative
• South Boston Overview
• South Boston Catholic Schools Overview
• Vision for South Boston
• South Boston Catholic Schools Analysis
• Process and Timeline
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GATE OF HEAVEN OVERVIEW
Source: School data
SOUTH BOSTON
• Address: 609 E. 4th Street• Classes: Pre-K-8• Enrollment: 205• Capacity: 242 at 20 per grade
• Student diversity – 96% White– 2% Hispanic– 1.5% Other
• Tuition– In Parish: $3,800 + 200
School Fundraising• Cost/student
– $5000 • Financial aid
– 38%receive aid• Financial Position:
– Positive
• Catholic: 94%• Non-Catholic: 6%
31
GATE OF HEAVEN ENROLLMENT HAS BEEN DECLINING SINCE 2003
Source: ABSCO model; team analysis
Gate of Heaven enrollment, 2000-2006Number of students
246
297
350373383
400388
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
• Gate of Heaven enrollment stayed relatively flat from 2000-2003
• However, attendance declined 36% from 2000-2006
• Gentrification and suburban migration account for the significant decline
SOUTH BOSTON
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UNSTABLE ENROLLMENT
Source: ABSCO model; team analysis
Gate of Heaven enrollment by grade, September 2007Number of students
1816
13
23
16
22
35
17
13
17
13
Gr 4 Gr 8Gr 1K-2 Gr 5Gr 2K-1 Gr 6Gr 3PreK Gr 7
• Gate of Heaven is the only school offering grades7-8
• Losses to Charter school in 4 & 5 grade and Exam and Private Catholic in 7 & 8 grade
SOUTH BOSTON
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ST. BRIGID OVERVIEW
Source: School data
SOUTH BOSTON
• Address: 866 E. Broadway• Classes: Pre K-6 (since 2005)• Enrollment: 196• Capacity: 220 at 20 per grade
• Student diversity – 98% White– 1.5% Hispanic– .5% African-American
• Catholic: 98.5%• Non-Catholic: 1.5%
• Tuition– In Parish: $3,900 +$900
school fundraising• Cost/student
– $5,000• Financial aid
– 11% receive aid• Financial position
– Positive
34
ST. BRIGID ENROLLMENT HAS BEEN DECLINING SINCE 2003
Source: ABSCO model; team analysis
St. Brigid enrollment, 2000-2006Number of students
203
178
229241
269266268
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
0.1%-5.8%
• St. Brigid enrollment stayed relatively flat from 2000-2002
• However, attendance began to decline ~6% annually after 2003
SOUTH BOSTON
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Source: ABSCO model; team analysis
St. Brigid enrollment by grade, September 2007Number of students
1513
1918
27
23
3133
17
Gr 4Gr 1K-2 Gr 5Gr 2K-1 Gr 6Gr 3PreK
• St. Brigid has a decline in enrollment after 2nd grade
• Decline due to gentrification and suburban migration
• Loss to Charter schools in grade 4 & 5, to Exam and Private Catholic in grades 7 & 8
SOUTH BOSTONST. BRIGID ENROLLMENT 2007
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DISCUSSION TOPICS
• 2010 Initiative
• South Boston Overview
• South Boston Catholic Schools Overview
• Vision for South Boston
• South Boston Catholic Schools Analysis
• Process and Timeline
37
PROCESS AND TIMELINE
January 2008 February 2008 March 2008
PHASE 1:
Input & Assessment
-Pastor
-Principals
-Teachers
-Parents
-Legislators
-Suffolk Construction
DATA SOURCES
-City
-Catholic Schools Office
-Outside Resources
PHASE 2:
Data Sharing/Survey/
Construction
-Pastor
-Principals
-Teachers
-Parents
-Legislators
Key Dates:
Early Feb - Pastors/Principals
Mid-Feb
Teachers
Parents
Legislators
PHASE 3:
Recommendations
Development
-Outside Consultants
-Pastor/Principals
-Teachers/Principals
-Catholic Schools Office
-Cardinal & Cabinet
Final Recommendations
3+ Year Plan-Short term-Long Term
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PROCESS AND TIMELINE
• Issue parent surveys – week of 12/31/07
• Issue principal and teacher surveys week of 1/07/08.
• All surveys returned week of 1/14/08
• Suffolk assessment of school properties by 2/1/08
• Survey Analysis Report week of 2/11/08
• Presentation of findings parent, teachers and principals week of 2/25/08
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Questions and Answers