Ascension of Our Lord School in LaPlace to close in May 2024

Ascension of Our Lord Catholic School in LaPlace will close at the end of the 2023-24 academic year because of low enrollment and rising operational and insurance costs, Dr. RaeNell Houston, superintendent of the Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation, announced Oct. 13.

 “This decision was made after consideration of community input, review of enrollment and financial data, prayerful discernment and with the approval and support of archdiocesan and parish leaders,” Houston said in a statement.

“Like many other communities across the United States, we are in an era of rapid social, economic, cultural, political and religious change. These factors, coupled with many others, yield overwhelming challenges: Significant declines and shifts in population and enrollment, increased operational expenses, impact of Hurricane Ida, rising insurance costs and COVID-19 have all contributed to less-than desirable outcomes for our school community.”

Houston said the school’s enrollment had dipped to approximately 130 students in the 2022-23 school year and rebounded somewhat to about 160 students, but insurance costs and repairs to the school building from hurricane damage were too significant to overcome.

  “It is my sincere hope that the impacted families will seek to enroll their children in another area Catholic school,” Houston said. “In the coming weeks, staff from the Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation will be available to assist families if they choose to explore other Catholic school options and will work with faculty and staff to find new positions should they choose to remain in Catholic education.”

She asked for prayers for the entire Ascension of Our Lord School community “as they finish strong and celebrate the gift that the Crusaders have been to our community."