Private religious schools are the most likely schools to open in the fall, even as the majority of public schools are considering remaining closed or pushing off their start dates.
In the past week, many Catholic dioceses, which together run a massive network of schools across the country, announced that they intend to bring their students back for in-person classes. Although a majority of people oppose opening schools, private schools have a better shot at doing it safely, chiefly because of their smaller class sizes, according to Myra McGovern, spokeswoman for the National Association of Independent Schools.
But many religious schools planning to reopen in the fall have framed their determination as a decision that factored in not only their health concerns but also a persistent worry that social pressure will prod governments to require their closure. Many churches became embroiled in coronavirus-related religious liberty litigation this spring after governments rolled out far-reaching shutdown plans.
In Minnesota, where in May a coalition of Catholic bishops and Lutheran faith leaders defied Gov. Tim Walz’s shutdown of in-person church services, Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda announced this week that Catholic schools will open in the fall. Similarly, Bishop James Powers of the Diocese of Superior, Wisconsin, said in a statement to parents that, unless the state offers a compelling reason to remain closed, schools will move forward with in-person learning.
“What we would like to assure you, is that our schools are planning to re-open in the fall in our traditional face-to-face mode, unless legitimate authorities do not allow it,” he wrote.
Catholic schools across the country have released their plans for the fall, with many emphasizing the psychological benefits of in-person learning. Like most dioceses planning to go back in the fall, the Massachusetts Diocese of Fall River is allowing parents to opt their children out of in-person learning, but the diocese hopes children will return.
“We worry, quite frankly, about the mental health impacts,” said Steve Perla, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Fall River, near Boston, in a letter to parents last week.
“These kids have been isolated,” he added. “We know they want to see their friends and get back to see their teachers. We think it’s important for their social and mental health that they have an opportunity to go back to school.”
Other private religious schools are using the uncertainty about the fall as a way to recruit parents who otherwise would send their children to public schools. The Diocese of New Hampshire announced in early July that it will offer tuition breaks to people who transfer their children into their schools before Aug. 31.
The diocese is making its pitch as a source of relief to parents overwhelmed by the prospect of potentially homeschooling their children for another semester.
“We want as many young people as possible to join our wonderful communities,” Alison Mueller, the diocese’s director of marketing, told the Union Leader. “We’ll see them in class, in person, this fall.”
Other faith-based groups, as well as non-religious private schools, this month have made similar announcements.
But even as many private schools gear up for a fall semester, public schools reopening is an open question nationally. The Trump administration has pushed hard for all schools to reopen, threatening to withhold federal funding from those who do not comply. President Trump weighed in on the issue as well.
“Now that we have witnessed it on a large scale basis, and firsthand, Virtual Learning has proven to be TERRIBLE compared to In School, or On Campus, Learning,” Trump tweeted. “Not even close! Schools must be open in the Fall. If not open, why would the Federal Government give Funding? It won’t!!!”
At the same time, many leaders in large public school districts, often underfunded or disorganized, have voiced concerns that resuming classes abruptly would be a health disaster. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday said that the Senate is working to secure more funding for schools to go back in the fall.
“I think all the evidence indicates that distance learning for kids is not as good, they’ve already lost part of the last semester, we need to find a way to safely get back to work,” the Kentucky Republican said.
