Erie, PA – A significant transition is on the horizon for the Erie Catholic School System (ECSS), which announced today that one of its six schools, Blessed Sacrament School, will close at the end of the 2024-25 school year. The system cited continuous decline in enrollment as the largest determining factor. “This is a very challenging moment for the students, families, staff and administrators at Blessed Sacrament School,” said Ann Carlin, board chair of the Erie Catholic School System. “The Board of Directors know how hard it is to hear this news. But as the board, with the responsibility for nearly 1,800 students enrolled in ECSS, we are committed to taking the steps necessary to ensure healthy and strong Catholic education opportunities remain available in our region.” Despite its beloved role in the community, enrollment at Blessed Sacrament School has dropped by more than twice that of any other school in the system, with a 52 percent loss since ECSS was established as part of a diocesan-wide school restructuring plan, Building in Truth and Love . “Our mission remains the same,” Carlin said, “but we need to respond to the realities of today.” Erie Catholic School System’s over-arching goals include providing students with an academically rigorous course of study in a faith-based environment, instilling a strong moral character, and encouraging a zeal for service to others. The hope is that by streamlining the system, more resources can be used to reinvest in student academic programming and move toward a long-term goal of more equitable pay for faculty and staff. In addition, Carlin said the system is exploring ways to address families’ needs for childcare and early learning opportunities. The decision has the full support of both Bishop Lawrence Persico and Jim Gallagher, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Erie. Before recommending the closure of Blessed Sacrament School, the Erie Catholic School System engaged the services of Meitler Consulting – a national firm focused on Catholic education – to conduct a growth and vitality study, collecting data from parents, teachers and administrators as well as analyzing financial and operational data from all six schools. The firm worked with a planning committee consisting of principals, central office leadership, board members, the system president, and the Diocesan superintendent over several months to determine the best course of action. The study focused on enrollment trends, resource limitations, capacity, and how to best create a more sustainable foundation across campuses. It offers a pathway for strengthening academic programs, providing greater support for teachers and students, reinvesting in the remaining schools, and improving facilities. The study and resulting plan is the first step toward a larger, multi-year strategic planning process that will focus on how Erie Catholic School System can better address the evolving needs of the community. Through this process, Erie Catholic aims to respond to critical issues such as the national teacher shortage, the importance of high school and workforce readiness through a strong foundation in early learning and education, and a lack of childcare in the region — a challenge highlighted in a recent Jefferson Educational Society study. Erie Catholic is in the final round of interviews for a new president for the system. Dr. Sam Signorino came out of retirement to serve as interim president of Erie Catholic when the need arose in 2023. “Sam graciously stepped in during a time of need for Erie Catholic and we are grateful for his ongoing service to Catholic education,” said Jim Gallagher, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Erie. “As part of the transition to the next phase of Catholic schools in the Erie region, he has agreed to step aside a few months ahead of schedule.” The ECSS Board of Directors worked with the Catholic Schools Office to appoint a transition team under the leadership of Janice Whiteman, Transition Director, to ensure a smooth process for school families, faculty, administrators and the school system in the coming months. Opening its doors in the fall of 1939, Blessed Sacrament was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph for generations. During its heyday in the mid-1950s, the school added ten rooms to its floorplan, accommodating more than 1,000 students. Today’s enrollment for students stands at 178. “Blessed Sacrament is a school steeped in tradition,” said Sister Katherine Horan, OSB, who has served as principal since 2023. “Our plan is to help our students honor the legacy of those who came before us by finishing the year mustering as much Bulldog pride as possible. We are grateful for all the school has been to so many and will move forward with faith in the future.” About Erie Catholic School System Erie Catholic School System provides an exceptional faith-based education that nurtures the whole child—mind, body, and spirit. Established in 2017, Erie Catholic serves students from preschool through eighth grade across Erie County at multiple campuses. With a commitment to academic excellence, moral character development, and a strong sense of community, Erie Catholic prepares students for success in high school and beyond. Our schools offer a welcoming, inclusive environment where faith and values guide learning, leadership, and service.