Saving Catholic education in South Buffalo

At one point, South Buffalo was a community filled with Catholic Schools. Today, only a few remain.

With Immaculata Academy in Hamburg set to close at the end of this school year, there is a renewed push to save South Buffalo's Catholic education.

A group called the "Catholic Education Partners of South Buffalo" is now offering new incentives to help parents cover the cost of tuition.

According to Margaret Cronin, president of Mount Mercy Academy, "If students attend Notre Dame Academy, then go with Bishop Timon - St. Jude or Mount Mercy Academy, they will receive a $500 credit each year."

Once there, students from Bishop Timon- St. Jude and Mount Mercy can earn college credits for Trocaire College without additional cost.

"If students choose to go on to college at Trocaire," said Cronin, "they will get 30 percent off of tuition." 

Employees within the Catholic Health Systems receive a $1,000 tuition credit if they send their children to either one of South Buffalo's Catholic High Schools.

"I think there is a new realization that we all have to work together from kindergarten through college," said Kevin McLaughlin, the C.O.O. of Bishop Timon - St. Jude High School.

The Catholic Education Partners are hoping incentives will attract more students from all across Western New York and help preserve the future of Catholic education in South Buffalo.