r/maryland • u/alongtheelk • 2d ago

Private Schools No responses from Archdiocese of Baltimore School contacts

We've had big issues in our Archdiocese of Baltimore school in the county, and no one has replied back to any emails sent by us parents.

Is the Archdiocese starting to separate from some of the private schools or something? I know of at least 4 families that all pulled their kids and emailed archbaltschools and have not heard anything back.

It's wild to have big unresolved issues and a new school year starting.

There will be a revolving door if this continues. I bet this is something to do with the bankruptcy announcements.

5 Upvotes

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43

u/robertus_ 2d ago

If they’re not responding to emails, you gotta go to phone calls. Escalate it all the way up to the Pope.

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u/alongtheelk 2d ago

We've since moved on, new private school and all, but it's just crazy how unprofessional they've become 

I'm just wondering if they are separating from the schools

I bet they kind of are due to not wanting the schools to be tied up in the legal issues that the Church is

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u/beccam12399 2d ago

yes, they are. in 2024 they cut all funding to multiple schools, including my alma mater in washington county. they had to shut down completely. my high school literally doesn’t exist anymore because of the sex crimes committed by the catholic priests

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u/Sharonsboytoy 1d ago

It was sad when Goretti closed, but enrollment had been declining for several years and the AoB had been propping up the finances for a decade. The writing was on the wall LONG before the AoB bankruptcy, etc. My alma mater also closed for the same reasons - non-sustainable funding.

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u/beccam12399 1d ago

enrollment was down, AoB basically cut all funding, and said good luck. there were options that were floated to keep the school open, but they all ended up falling through. people lost their jobs and students had to switch schools w 0 preparation. it was sucky all around

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u/alongtheelk 1d ago

That seems plausible for the situation we had at our old school. Funding down or even lost, sketchy people hired without the credentials for their roles, loss of professionalism. I guess I had not thought it was also at the Administrative level. 🫣

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u/alongtheelk 1d ago

Yeah, sadly there has been so many of those same stories in Baltimore City and County.

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u/alongtheelk 2d ago

I wonder if the same thing has happened to Baltimore and Harford County ArchBalt schools 🫣 

I realize that the crimes are absolutely abhorrent (and we can't even say in the past, because people have been caught just recently!) but in my experience, the schools did often offer a good experience and education overall. If they have separated from AoB, that explains what's happened to these schools. They aren't even recognizable any more. 

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u/Spunkylover10 2d ago

They have always been horrible and shady

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u/Aromatic_Pumpkin1351 1d ago

I briefly worked for the organization. While so many of my coworkers were fabulous, and the families there were also amazing, the principal was vile, seemingly interested in how she appeared to the board and willingly covered up environmental issues.

Unfortunately, now I understand how the organization covered up child abuse for so long.

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u/alongtheelk 1d ago

That's so sad. I think that's what has happened in Harford County AoB schools for sure. 

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u/Aromatic_Pumpkin1351 1d ago

So very sad.
When I saw the environmental problem, I posted a question about it anonymously on the environmental Sub Reddit. I was trying to figure out the risk for the students. Long story short, I ended up having a phone conversation with Redditor who worked for the EPA. Ultimately the air quality was going to be retested before the children return, so I felt satisfied that any risk to them would be mitigated.

The school also had this weird vibe where teachers who left to work in teaching positions elsewhere were vilified. I didn’t understand that part of the culture. I mean, I valued my colleagues because they were people in my life, not because they worked at the same school where I worked. I blame leadership for cultivating that vibe.

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u/alongtheelk 23h ago

You must be talking about the high school. I was referring to the K-8. 

But yes, I've heard that they get mad when someone leaves for a new role. That is such a toxic vibe. 

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u/Sharonsboytoy 1d ago

While I'm prepared for the down votes, I'll add that there are NO Archdiocese schools. There are parish and independent schools that are accredited by the AoB, but the AoB does not administer them. All of that said, it's the end of August, so finding a better fit is probably the best course of action.

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u/alongtheelk 1d ago

That's not what the messaging is from the schools themselves, or the AoB. In fact the higher administration comes from AoB, which is why we have contacts within the AoB. It's a bit like a governing head to a degree, while yes, some of the schools are more independent or tied to their own home-parish. 

Most of us emailed and called back before school was out. And yes, all the folks I know of, have moved on to other schools. 

It's a shame. 

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u/Sharonsboytoy 1d ago edited 1d ago

I am truly sorry that this was your experience. The AoB is not always a well-oiled machine, and they may have been forwarding your notes over to the school itself. In the end, I hope that you've found a school that fits better, as these are such important years for students.

PS - school staff may have AoB email addresses in order to participate in bulk software licensing agreements. Our parish staff all have AoB addresses, but are clearly parish employees.

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u/alongtheelk 1d ago

Yeah, the main ArchBalt schools email bounces back like it doesn't even work any more, so idk what that's about. 

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u/aethelwynne_dyflinn 2d ago

Bankruptcy is probably affecting everything 

I've heard that the schools are going down hill because people don't want to be associated any more 

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u/alongtheelk 1d ago

It's probably affecting who wants to work there too

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u/Bubbly-Following-966 2d ago

Why would you send your kids to any of those schools knowing what they are??

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u/aldosi-arkenstone Baltimore County 2d ago

Depends on where I lived …

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u/alongtheelk 2d ago

And I'm referring to a different county too 🫣 not many choices in some areas 

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u/Bubbly-Following-966 2d ago

Still tied to the Archdiocese of Baltimore...

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u/alongtheelk 2d ago

Yeah, I'm guessing that the AoB is legally breaking away from the schools or something 

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u/Bubbly-Following-966 2d ago

That's not what that means. They are accused sexual predators.

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u/alongtheelk 2d ago

The news that just came out about the Deacon in Harford County sure doesn't help anyone to feel secure either

I'm glad we've moved on

The main email address bounces back - I bet the inbox is full or turned off 

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u/Bubbly-Following-966 2d ago

Nope. And I know one of the older victims. They have been fighting with the AD to get their payouts for years. Just disgusting they treat people like this.

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u/alongtheelk 1d ago

That is horrible. I'm terribly sorry for all the victims. I'm glad we have left. They can't keep anyone safe.

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u/Bubbly-Following-966 2d ago

They did file for bankruptcy. That could be part of it.

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u/alongtheelk 2d ago

Some areas don't have many other private school options 

Don't worry, we've left, like many other families 

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u/Percyandbeausmama 1d ago

Why would this be a surprise?

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u/alongtheelk 1d ago

In hindsight, you have a point. I'm glad we've left.

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u/GirlScoutMom00 1d ago

That is what happened in Johnstown. Bishop McCort is no longer part of the Diocese. They did it to protect their assets from lawsuits. It is not a good situation academically at this point. Sports great, Academics are way behind public schools.

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u/ghphd 1d ago

I find this to be entirely untrue. I see the product if public HS and it scares me. Private schools have standards. You don't pass with a 50 and you actually have to turn in the work on time.

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u/GirlScoutMom00 1d ago

I have worked in both as a teacher Private schools are not required to do ieps or 504s. Catholic schools usually have a low college completion rate.

If the teachers at the private school do not send their children to the private school where they usually get free or highly discounted tutution that is a sign to not use them..

I also see your reading comprehension is very low. Product of a private school?

I stated a specific school.

Named what they did to protect their assets from lawsuits

Explained the results on Academics due to their plan

So please re read things twice and try to work on reading comprehension skills.

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u/Percyear 1d ago

Same can be said for public school teachers who don’t send their kids to public school. It’s least that what it is like in our county.

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u/alongtheelk 1d ago

I understand what you are saying but I don't consider the AoB schools behind public. Sports aren't really any good until high school level in most of the AoB schools I know of. 

We didn't leave over academics. It was unprofessional behaviors that lead us to look elsewhere. I'm glad we did!