BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — As Catholic Schools Week kicks off across the country, increasing enrollment remains a top priority.

In the past few years, attendance has declined nationwide, with schools being forced to merge, or even shut down.

In the Southern Tier, Seton Catholic Central actually enters the New Year with one of its biggest classes to date.

But, because most of the class consists of seniors, the school will have a major challenge on its hands next year to make up for the number of students who graduate.

Elizabeth Carter, the Broome County Catholic School's president, remains confident, and says this week is crucial in boosting enrollment.

"We've already been getting a lot of calls just in some of our postings about Catholic Schools Week is coming. We've been getting a lot of inquiries so you know that the interest is out there. People just have to figure out if it works for them," said Carter.

Seton Catholic Central is also in the middle of a $3.2 million capital campaign, where they've already reached 75 percent of their goal.

The school will host a series of open houses this week, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.