Tuesday marks another first day of school in South Florida as Catholic school students headed back to class.
The Archdiocese of Miami is welcoming nearly 37,000 students Tuesday as Catholic schools continue to experience an enrollment boom in our area.
“We’ve been working very hard with all of our teachers, all of our principals, to get ready for this special day,” Archdiocese of Miami Schools Superintendent Jim Rigg said.
There are a total of 65 private Catholic schools with the Archdiocese of Miami.
“Most of our schools are now full, so over 50 percent of our Catholic schools are at capacity with waiting lists, and the majority of those that are not full are growing,” Rigg said.
Local 10 got an inside look as teachers and administrators made final preparations at one of their newest facilities — an infant and Pre-K school at Saint Richard Church in Palmetto Bay.
Students and parents also got a preview during an early open house.
“So I really wanted my son to go to Catholic school and just get that foundation, because I had it growing up and I think it’s really important,” parent Joanna Valdes said.
On Tuesday, the superintendent gave Local 10 a tour of Saint Malachy, which closed more than a decade ago following low enrollment.
The school, which serves Pre-K through 5th grade, reopened its doors two years ago with just 27 kids.
On Tuesday, they welcomed back more than 100.
“It’s a small school environment. It’s a school where every student is known and welcomed and valued,” Rigg said.
Many parents took advantage of recent changes to Florida’s school choice and scholarship system before choosing to make the switch from public to private school.
The Archdiocese says the number of kids enrolled in their schools has increased by nearly 800 students, marking the fifth consecutive year of increased enrollment. At the same time, officials with Broward County Public Schools estimate they’ll lose close to 8,000 students next year alone.
“I am a believer that all families deserve to make a choice for their child’s education, and we’re fortunate enough to be in a state that prioritizes parental choice,” Rigg said.
The recent rise in enrollment has caused the Archdiocese to plan for even more expansions in the years to come.
“First of all, I think our schools do a great job of delivering a strong academic program rooted in our Catholic faith and values,” Rigg said. “But certainly the presence of scholarships from the state of Florida for families helps to make our schools more affordable.”
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