Navigating Stormy Seas

How has your school fared since March 2020?

Good? Congratulations!

Poorly? I'm so sorry.

According to the National Catholic Education Association, Catholic school enrollment increased for the first time in two decades since the pandemic began in March 2020. Coming after years and years (decades) of decline, many Catholic schools were thrust into a scenario where there were more students than they had planned. On the flip side, to many schools, the pandemic became the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back - and led to school closure.

So - how can you navigate these stormy seas?

The first key, and it is true regardless of large-scale threats to the human race, is preparation and planning.

Preparation means knowing who you are and what you have available.

How large is your current enrollment? How large can it be? What is the maximum space you have for students in your building as it is currently situated? For example, if you have 18 students in one classroom in the 1st grade, at what number of students would you need to hire a second teacher. As an overall school, at what point do you need to add additional space? Additional staff? A larger lunchroom? Think of preparation like you own an airplane. How many seats do you have to fill and how many staff will you need to accommodate your customers.

Planning means changing these dynamics.

What if you have a surge of interest? Keeping the same example - if you have 18 first graders and one teacher, and suddenly have 10 additional students interested. Will you now have 28 first graders with one teacher? Will you need an additional teacher? What about when those folks make it to second grade? Addressing these dynamics is of critical importance - and having solutions in mind before you face them will be immeasurably helpful.

Need help answering these questions? Let us know! Contact pbritton@catholicschoolconsulting.com to discuss how you might find more students - and find more solutions.