194 student drop last year ends upward enrollment trend
By Patrick Downes | Hawaii Catholic Herald
Catholic school enrollment in Hawaii dropped by 194 students last year, ending a three-year upward trend and bringing it to its lowest figure in 10 years.
According to statistics from the Hawaii Catholic Schools office, the number of students enrolled in Hawaii Catholic Schools in 2007 was 11,249. The number in 2006 was 11,443.
The Hawaii Catholic Schools office tracks enrollment figures twice a year — in September when the school year starts, and in June when it ends. These numbers are from the beginning of the school year.
The figures for 2008 are not yet available, but the numbers are expected to be even lower than last year because of the large number of job layoffs in Hawaii this year.
Earlier this year, Aloha Airlines and ATA airlines closed, putting more than 2,000 people out of work. Hundreds more have been laid off as other high profile companies on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island cut staff.
Hawaii Catholic school enrollment has fluctuated over the past 10 years between about 11,600 and 11,300 students. One school closed during that time, Our Lady of Sorrows in Wahiawa in 2003 when its enrollment for grades K-8 was 87.
The previous low point for the number of students in Hawaii Catholic schools over the past decade was 2004, when opening day enrollment was 11,327.