THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 16, 1996 TAG: 9602140140
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REBECCA A. MYERS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
Despite the closing of the city's only Catholic high school in 1991 due to declining enrollment and increasing student costs, Portsmouth Catholic Elementary School has been growing by about 20 students per year for the past four years, according to Sister Carol Durkin, principal of the school.
An additional kindergarten class was added in the fall of 1993, followed by a second first-grade class the following year and an additional second grade this year. Plans are being made to add an extra class for third-graders next year.
An increasing enrollment can be partly attributed to an active public relations and development committee, said Durkin.
``We have been trying to put ourselves forward a bit,'' she said.
For the last three years, coupons for discounted tuitions have been included in all re-enrollment packets. If a parent refers a new family to Portsmouth Catholic and that family enrolls, then the new family receives a $25 break on tuition while the re-enrolling parent gets a $50 discount.
``For those who remember to use the coupons, they appreciate it,'' said Durkin, ``especially those families who give them out.''
But another reason for a growing student body can be attributed to the school's ``strong academics, safe environment and reinforcement of values from home,'' said Durkin.
Beth and Greg Gavin of Suffolk agree. Their two daughters - Megan, 9, and Morgan, 8 - have attended the school since pre-kindergarten.
``We feel like our kids are getting a real good education there,'' said Beth Gavin, herself a 1982 graduate of Portsmouth Catholic High School.
``They have a real strong academic program,'' she said. ``Even at the grade-school level, I actually think it's like a preparatory school for a child who wants to attend college.''
Beth Gavin is also a fan of the school's Christian atmosphere. ``They teach them a sense of value, and they stress doing what you're supposed to do,'' she said.
After their daughters complete the eighth grade at Portsmouth Catholic, the Gavins plan to continue their daughters' Catholic education at Peninsula Catholic High School in Newport News.
Current enrollment at Portsmouth Catholic is 255 students in grades pre-kindergarten through eight, with the average class size between 20 and 25, said Durkin. Of the 27 faculty and staff members, three are nuns.
The school can accommodate a maximum of about 350 children. All students, with the exception of pre-schoolers, are required to wear uniforms.
This year's tuition is $1,947 for Catholics who are parish members and $2,354 for non-Catholics and out-of-parish students. About 21 percent of the student body is non-Catholic.
Janet and George Moses have four children in Portsmouth Catholic, with a fifth child enrolling in the fall.
George Moses is serving a residency at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital. The family, who recently moved into Navy housing at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, enrolled their children at Portsmouth Catholic two years ago after moving to the area.
``We like the concept of Catholic school,'' said Janet Moses. ``My husband's Catholic, they're being raised Catholic. We want our children to understand and know the Catholic faith, so that's what initially brought us there.
``But once we got there, we loved the school,'' she said. ``The teachers are very good with the kids, they're very nurturing, and their values seem to be similar to our values as far as what we want. They're also very easy to work with. They're very accessible.''
Parents can expect a slight rate increase next year, said Durkin, who added that tuition assistance is available, however, there are no multi-children discounts.
``They've been extremely good about working with us,'' said Janet Moses, ``especially with us having a large family, they're very good about working with you in trying to help you make it with the tuition.''
The roots of Catholic education in Portsmouth run deep. The city's first Catholic school, St. Joseph's Academy, was opened in 1876 by the Daughters of Charity at Dinwiddie and King streets. Fifteen years later, St. Paul's Academy - which eventually became Portsmouth Catholic High School - opened at Washington Street and London Boulevard.
A third Catholic school, called Our Lady of Victory, was opened in 1930 for black students, but it wasn't until 1954 that Little Flower School, which eventually evolved into Portsmouth Catholic Elementary, opened in Oregon Acres.
Portsmouth Catholic will hold an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 25 at 2301 Oregon Ave. The school also offers a before- and after-school program beginning at 7:15 a.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m. Call 488-6744 for information. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MARK MITCHELL
Sister Carol Durkin is principal of Portsmouth Catholic Elementary.
Janet Moses, and her husband, George, have four children in
Portsmouth Catholic: Rita, 5, front row left, and Rachel, 7; Ruth,
9, second row left, and Rebecca, 11. Roger, 4, held by his mother,
will enroll next year.
KEYWORDS: CATHOLIC SCHOOL by CNB