SAN DIEGO (CA)
KFMB - CBS 8 [San Diego CA]
January 4, 2025
By Elizabeth Sanchez
A private Catholic school in San Diego is at risk of closing and parents are rallying to keep its doors open.
Saint Katharine Drexel Academy, a private Catholic school in San Diego, is at risk of closing at the end of the school year unless it raises $500,000 and increases enrollment by 30 students by the end of January.
On Oct. 18, the Catholic Diocese of San Diego informed parents that the school could no longer cover its budget deficit, leaving the SKDA community scrambling to save their institution.
The school, which opened six years ago with 150 students, has seen a sharp decline in enrollment, now standing at just 95 students as of Christmas Break.
“We certainly have less financial flexibility, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s an enrollment problem,” Kevin Eckery a spokesperson for the diocese said.
While declining enrollment is the primary issue, the diocese’s bankruptcy, resulting from over 450 sexual abuse legal claims, has also contributed to the financial strain. Despite this, SKDA receives free use of facilities from Sacred Heart parish and an annual subsidy of $100,000 from the diocese.
“The idea is that you want to create success. And so you want to do everything you can to promote that success,” Eckery said.
Parents, including Steve Carter, a parent with two children attending SKDA, told CBS 8 they were caught off guard by the news.
“It was a complete blindside,” Carter said.
He and other parents are now rallying to save the school, citing its small classrooms and welcoming community as key factors in their dedication.
However, fundraising efforts have fallen short so far, with donations totaling just over $12,000. Despite the challenges, Carter remains hopeful. “We have never felt a school that we were this passionate about,” he said. “Maybe this obstacle is to show the kids you fight for what’s right regardless of outcome.”
As the Jan. 31 deadline approaches, the SKDA community faces an uphill battle to meet the financial and enrollment targets set by the diocese. The school’s fate hangs in the balance as parents and supporters work tirelessly to keep its doors open for future generations of students.