South Boston Catholic Schools Review Presentation to Parents and Teachers January 2, 2008

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






• 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

9

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

10

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

11

DISCUSSION TOPICS

• 2010 Initiative

•





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

13

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

14

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

17

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

18

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

19

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

20

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

21

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

22

DISCUSSION TOPICS

• 2010 Initiative






23

New Vision - Stronger Schools

Catholic Colleges

Partnership

New Academic Standards

Technology

Construction& Physical

Plant

Development

STRONGER SOUTH BOSTON SCHOOL SYSTEM

24

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

25

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

26

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

27

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

28

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

29

DISCUSSION TOPICS

• 2010 Initiative






30

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

32

UNSTABLE ENROLLMENT


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

33

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


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

35


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

36

DISCUSSION TOPICS

• 2010 Initiative






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

38

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

39

Questions and Answers

Documents

South Boston Catholic Schools Review Presentation to Parents and Teachers January 2, 2008