VIDEO: After Closure St. Bart Students Join St. Joan of Arc
JACKSON HEIGHTS — For families who once called St. Bartholomew Catholic School home, the start of the new school year has brought a new chapter.
After St. Bartholomew closed, about 75% of its students transferred to St. Joan of Arc Catholic School in Jackson Heights, where they joined a growing school community.
For Luisa Reyes and her son, Liam DeJesus, the transition came with mixed emotions.
“I feel really sad because we really try our best to save this school,” Reyes said.
But seeing familiar faces has helped make the adjustment easier for Liam, who now has many of his former classmates and teachers around him.
“The good thing is, like, all of my friends are here,” Liam said. “It’s like we’re seeing familiar faces, like some of my teachers, and, like, a different hallway, different stairway, like route. But I really think it’s a good school.”
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Liam said he has quickly come to feel at home at St. Joan of Arc.
“Honestly, if you go to a school like this and you had to leave your old one, you don’t have to worry about anything because this school is amazing,” he said.
The arrival of students from St. Bartholomew comes as St. Joan of Arc has experienced a significant increase in enrollment.
When Father Christopher Heanue was installed as pastor a year ago, the school had about 190 students. Working with the school administration and staff, enrollment grew to about 207 students before reaching more than 280 students for the current school year.
Father Heanue said the focus remains on providing a Catholic education, regardless of where a student began their educational journey.
“Whether they have their roots at Saint Barts or they started here at St. Joan of Arc, the key is Catholic education,” Father Heanue said. “The key is we find our roots in Jesus Christ.”
For parents, that faith-based education is an important part of the appeal.
“We want them to learn not just the academics part, but also how to become good followers of Christ,” said Jackie Borja, a St. Joan of Arc parent. “And we also want them to grow up being men and women for others.”
For Reyes, the biggest relief is knowing her son is entering his new school surrounded by people he knows.
“I’m happy that he’s not alone again,” Reyes said. “Like starting again. It’s hard. But I think we’re excited for the new chapter.”
Borja echoed that sentiment.
“We’re happy to be here,” she said.
For the former St. Bartholomew families, the school building may have changed, but their commitment to Catholic education remains.