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Two parish elementary schools in the west midtown section of Manhattan, Holy Cross and Sacred Heart of Jesus, will merge into one school beginning in September, the archdiocese announced Jan. 20.
The decision was made “after much consultation with parish and school leadership,” the announcement said.
The merged school will be located in the current Sacred Heart of Jesus building at 456 W. 52nd St., nine blocks north of Holy Cross at 332 W. 43rd St.
Sacred Heart of Jesus was among the schools identified as “at risk” during the school reconfiguration process of “Pathways to Excellence,” the strategic plan for archdiocesan schools. That process resulted in the announcement earlier this month that 27 schools will close.
A decision on Sacred Heart of Jesus was deferred at that time for further review.
Holy Cross School has 208 students currently enrolled in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, and Sacred Heart of Jesus has 206 students in the same grades. Sacred Heart of Jesus School has the capacity for more than 425 students.
The decision to merge Holy Cross School and Sacred Heart of Jesus School was made after careful consideration of how to best use existing buildings and resources to ensure that a fully enrolled and fully supported school would be available to families on the West Side of Manhattan now, and in the future.
“The merger will create a vibrant school community, which will continue to provide an excellent Catholic school education for its students, with the resources and space to develop new academic and extracurricular program enhancements,” the archdiocese’s announcement said.
To smooth the merger, the superintendent of schools, Dr. Timothy McNIff, will assist the local communities in establishing a joint parent advisory committee, with five members from each school. The committee will consult with the district superintendent and principals on areas of parental concern.
During the period of transition, Sacred Heart of Jesus principal Noelle Beale, and Holy Cross principal Sister Mary Theresa Dixon, O.P. will work with their school families to answer questions about the merger and what it will mean for students.
In addition, the archdiocese has hired student placement counselors to work with all families whose schools are in transition. These counselors will contact parents and assist in setting up open houses, information sessions and school tours, the archdiocese said.
