Our Lady of the Angelus Catholic Academy, Rego Park, has become the second school within a week to announce that it will close in June. Declining enrollment has led to severe budget deficits. The declines are due to changing demographics.

Last week, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Academy, Queens Village, began preparing to shut its doors at the end of the semester.

At Our Lady of the Angelus, enrollment has dropped from 226 students in 2012 to 130 this school year. That nearly 50 percent drop has led to a budget deficit that will reach $444,299 by June.

Students at Our Lady of the Angelus are encouraged to enroll in nearby schools like Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Forest Hills; Resurrection-Ascension, Rego Park; and St. Leo, Corona.

Students who enroll in those schools or any other Diocese of Brooklyn Catholic academy or school will automatically receive a $500 tuition assistance grant.

An informational meeting was set for Wednesday, March 14, when administrators from the nearby schools and academies will present their programs and answer any questions.

Seats Available

Invitations to students of Our Lady of Lourdes have been extended by the school communities of Incarnation, Saints Joachim and Anne, both in Queens Village; St. Gregory the Great, Bellerose; and Our Lady of the Snows, North Floral Park. An informational meeting was held March 8, for Our Lady of Lourdes parents. These families will also be provided an automatic $500 tuition assistance grant if they transfer to an alternative Diocese of Brooklyn Catholic academy or school.

In order to register in a neighboring Catholic academy, families of Our Lady of Lourdes must meet all of their financial obligations.