Q4: Sister Patricia Carroll, president, Nazareth Schools

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Q: Last week Nazareth Academy announced a partnership with Aquinas Institute for a prekindergarten through 12th-grade school system. What will the new school structure look like?

A: The new school system will be called Aquinas Institute and Nazareth Schools. Beginning in September, grades prekindergarten through sixth will be at the Nazareth campus on Lake Avenue. Grades seventh through 12th will attend classes at the Aquinas Institute campus on Dewey Avenue. Underlying this unprecedented venture is the theme of collaboration rather than competition. Throughout our deliberations, both the Sisters of Saint Joseph and Aquinas Institute leaders held the best interests of our students as our top priority. This new venture will provide a faith-filled, college preparatory experience rich with the traditions and values enjoyed by over 40,000 proud Nazareth and Aquinas graduates.

Q: What factored into the decision to merge Nazareth and Aquinas?

A: Uppermost in our minds was our desire to provide stable, quality educational programs in the Catholic tradition for students in grades pre-K through 12th. A major factor in accomplishing this is maintaining a healthy enrollment. A broad range of students provides fertile ground for a broad range of academic advances. At the same time, the resulting tuition contributes to the cost-effectiveness of a school’s operating budget. As we looked at state Education Department projections, they indicated a 22.4 percent decline in high school students between 2008 and 2019. This applies across the state and Monroe County. As a result, we needed to consider the impact of demographics on our programs. We look to Aquinas Institute and Nazareth Schools as offering the best of both school programs, in the best interest of our students and those who will look to this school partnership for stability in future years.

Q: Will steps be taken to maintain a sense of identity for Nazareth students and alumni?

A: The Sisters of St. Joseph will be very present in the new school and, in addition, fund a position at Aquinas to continue their commitment to a program promoting women’s leadership and development. Transition teams composed of members from both schools are working on developing other areas that preserve the traditions of Nazareth Academy.

Q: How will duplicate departments and functions between both schools be merged? Do you anticipate layoffs?

A: Transition teams are being formed to guide and to meld the best of both academic institutions. Where the business model can conserve, it will. The availability of teaching positions at our new Aquinas Institute-Nazareth Schools is directly dependent on the enrollment. It is our hope that the majority of the Nazareth students will find a home at Aquinas. Nazareth faculty and staff will be given priority in filling positions that open up at Aquinas.

-Nate Dougherty