Sacred Heart Elementary School in South Amboy will close its doors June 30, 2016, a victim of declining enrollment.
Sacred Heart Elementary School in South Amboy will be closing June 30, the victim of declining enrollment. SOUTH AMBOY -- The Sacred Heart Elementary School will close its doors at the end of this school year, according to a letter sent by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen Friday to parents of students at the school.
The letter, signed by Rev. Msgr. Michael Corona, executive director of the Diocese's Department of Education, and Ellen Ayoub, superintendent of the Office of Schools, said enrollment decreased by 40 students from this time last year and the subsidy needed to sustain the school's operation increased by more than $500,000 annually.
"The Diocese is left with no option but to close the school on June 30, 2016," the letter said, adding the remainder of the school year will continue as scheduled.
According to the diocese, the school had 191 students registered this year from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, but only 80 students were registered for next year.
"Our sincere thanks is extended to all of you you chose Sacred Heart School for your children because you saw the intrinsic value of a faith-based education that nourishes students academically, spiritually and emotionally," the letter said.
The letter gave parents a list of Catholic elementary schools operating in the area, including two in nearby Sayreville and three in Perth Amboy.
South Amboy had two Catholic elementary schools and two high schools at one time, but after Cardinal McCarrick High School closed last year, Sacred Heart was the only Catholic school left in the borough of approximately 9,000 located on Raritan Bay in northeastern Middlesex County.
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