Schools

Bishop Ford C.C.H.S. Will Close this June

Bishop-Ford-HSThe board of directors of Bishop Ford Central Catholic H.S., Park Slope, has announced that the school will close in June.

According to a statement on the school’s website, Thomas P. Arria, principal, cited “declining enrollment and a facility in need of repair as the principle reasons for the closing.”

“In recent years, the school population has shrunk dramatically,” said Arria. “There has not been a sufficient revenue stream other than tuition, which alone cannot support the operation.”

The board met at an emergency session on Sunday, April 13 and voted unanimously that the school would not open in the fall.

Arria said that the school would do all that it could to assist students in finding another school for the fall. A high school information night will be held in the school gymnasium on Tuesday, April 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. Most of the area schools will be represented that evening.

Principal Arria told the parents, “I am so sorry for this situation, but the most important task ahead of us is to insure the continuity of your child’s education.

“Personally speaking I feel a deep sense of sadness over this decision… I find myself genuinely enamored with the wonderful young people here. They are at once sincere, capable, and caring young men and women who are a credit to you.”

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio issued the following statement: “Despite the best efforts and diligent work of the board of directors and faculty of Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School, the school was faced with what became insurmountable challenges.

“The Diocese of Brooklyn is committed to assisting the board of directors in placing students in the schools of their choice.

“This Holy Week, the Bishop Ford community has a share in the Passion of Christ. Our Easter celebration is a reminder that despite suffering, the darkness never overcomes the light.”