Archdiocese to close another school

Declining enrollment is causing another Philadelphia Catholic elementary school to close.

St. Bernard School in the Northeast, whose enrollment would have decreased 40 percent in three years, will close in June.

Cardinal Justin Rigali approved the pastor's recommendation to close the school at 7360 Jackson St., the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced yesterday. The recommendation was based in part on financial concerns of the parish, where Mass attendance has also fallen sharply.

In 2006, the school had 308 students. The number fell to 258 in 2007. This year, 202 students from kindergarten through eighth grade attend. Projected enrollment next year was 177.

The Rev. Joseph N. Accardi, the pastor, and Mary E. Rochford, superintendent of schools for the archdiocese, met with parents in December to tell them that the school was in danger of closing.

Rigali said that in accepting Accardi's recommendation, "I recognize how difficult this decision will be for the St. Bernard parish community. No one ever wants to see one of our parish schools close. This decision was made with much prayer and consideration for the needs of the parish and the school community."

St. Bernard students have been offered enrollment at St. Matthew, 3040 Cottman Ave., or St. Dominic, 8510 Frankford Ave.