South Buffalo Organization Advances Catholic Education With Incentives

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Catholic backbone in Western New York continues to experience fractures in education, as low enrollment and high tuition has led to closures, and students and parents are left to find a new school or switch to public education. Catholic Education Partners of South Buffalo hopes to mend these breaks with a bevy of incentives amongst five faith-based organizations.

"(Buffalo Common) Councilman Chris Scanlon brought us all together and said, there’s been a lot of school closings and hospital closings. Maybe it’s time to work as a team to ensure we all stay vibrant in this community," said Trocaire College Chief Enrollment Officer Jacqueline Matheny.

Groups working on the project include Notre Dame Academy, Mount Mercy Academy, Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School, Trocaire College, and Mercy Hospital.

For the past two years, students who attend Notre Dame and move on to Mount Mercy and Timon receive a $500 tuition credit. Catholic Health employees also benefit.

“If they have children who want to attend MMA or Bishop Timon, they’re offered a $1,000 tuition discount," said Mount Mercy Principal Margaret Staszak.

Mount Mercy and neighboring Trocaire have been partners for several years, letting students take courses for college credit while still in high school, but that concept recently expanded to include Timon.

“I think they really like the chance they get to get out of the high school environment and come here," said Matheny. "Gives them a greater sense of the academic they’ll handle when they go to college.”

Trocaire is on the brink of launching another bonus. Enrolling at the college full-time after graduation will net students a 30 percent discount on tuition.

The money comes out of each partner's operating budget, but they consider it a worthwhile investment.

“Improve the quality of life in South Buffalo," said Matheny. "Offering Catholic education to people throughout Western New York to come to this area and keep kids from K-12 if that is what their choice is. These financial incentives really can mean a lot."