Saint Anthony High School announces likely closing

JERSEY CITY – Despite a continuing record of academic and athletic excellence, the Saint Anthony High School Board of Trustees have announced that the school may close in June 2017, unless $10 to $20 million can be raised within the next several months to establish an endowment.
The school has experienced a confluence of circumstances over the past several years that have taken a large financial toll. These include a double-digit decline in enrollment; the gap between what is charged for tuition and the actual cost for educating a student – $6,500 tuition vs. $14,000; a deteriorating physical plant; heightened competition for students by charter and public schools; changing demographics in the area; and increased operating costs.
“Closing is the last thing we want to do. We’ve made sure all of our graduates have gone on to college and we’re very proud of that. It’s something we want to continue,” said Saint Anthony President Bob Hurley, Sr. “We are making this announcement now, to be as transparent and as fair as possible to students, their families, and our faculty and staff.”
The Board of Trustees noted that the school would need to raise at least $1.5 million each year to continue operating. While they may be able to come close to securing that amount this year, it would be difficult – perhaps impossible – to maintain that level of fundraising every year.
“The only way we can be totally fair to our students, and our teachers and staff, is to make sure we have a sustainable plan,” stated Tony Marano, the Board of Trustees chair. “We want to be able to give our kids the full education they deserve, and to do that we need a school building and a budget that would allow us to provide instruction and after-school programs in STEM, music, the physical sciences and more.”
This past year in particular, the Saint Anthony Board has held several different fundraising endeavors to try and close the financial gap. This included reaching out to alumni, holding an Annual Fund drive, seeking and obtaining grants and matching gifts, and staging fundraisers like the Annual Gala Dinner, Women’s Guild Luncheon, the upcoming “50 Years of Chasing Perfect: A Tribute to Coach Bob Hurley” on Sept. 23, the 2016 Hurley Golf Classic on Oct. 3, and the recent F.A.N. (Financing Academic Needs) Fund pledge drive. Additionally, Hurley donates a minimum of 80% of his speaking engagements to the school.
The Saint Anthony High School Trustees have been working with the Archdiocese of Newark, which has assisted Saint Anthony in trying to get on better financial footing. They will continue working cooperatively to achieve the best outcome for students, students, teachers and staff, which will require putting together a transition plan to minimize the negative impact on students currently enrolled at Saint Anthony High School.
Saint Anthony High School was founded in 1952 by Saint Anthony Roman Catholic Parish in Jersey City. The school is dedicated to providing young men and women of Jersey City and the surrounding areas with a quality education and opportunities that lead to a better future. Last year there were 200 students enrolled at the school and this year there are 183. The students represent the diverse cultural, ethnic, economic and religious background of the people of the Jersey City area. The majority of Saint Anthony students overcome significant economic and social hardships. For many, the school is a haven and they consider their fellow students, and their teachers and administrators to be their family.
Saint Anthony High School students enjoy the benefits of more personalized attention, as the student/faculty ratio is 14 to 1. Each year since 1993, 100 percent of the school’s graduates have been accepted at colleges throughout New Jersey and the United States, and the Class of 2016 amassed more than $6.5 million in college and university scholarships.
Hall of Fame Coach Hurley and the Saint Anthony High School basketball team are nationally recognized sports legends. Heading the team for more than 40 years, Hurley has made values, loyalty and commitment the cornerstone of the team and has a record that stands at 1,162-119. He has captured 28 state titles, four national titles (1989, 1996, 2008, 2011) and had eight undefeated seasons (1974, 1989, 1996, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2016).
Hurley is number three on the National Federation of State High School Association’s list of coaches with the most wins in boys’ basketball history. Last Spring after the team captured its 13th Tournament of Champions trophy in Trenton, he shouted to his players, “Hurry up. We’ve got school tomorrow.”
“It’s just possible there’s a multi-million-dollar miracle out there and we’re praying for one,” Mr. Hurley stated.
Those interested in contributing to Saint Anthony High School, may do so by mailing a check or dropping one off at the school, 175 Eighth St, Jersey City, NJ 07302. Or, one may contact the Jill Cypher, the Director of Development by phoning (201) 653-5143 or (201) 653-5739 or emailing cypherj@stanthonyhighschool.org.