OKC Catholic Schools Praise Decision To Remain In-Person During COVID-19 Pandemic

Students at Oklahoma City’s 19 Catholic schools have been going into the classroom five days a week during the pandemic.

Superintendent of OKC Catholic Schools, Dr. Diane Floyd, said despite some rough stretches with COVID cases the year has been an overwhelming success.

“More than anything we appreciate the transparency with parents back and forth with the schools letting us know they may have been exposed,” said Floyd, who said cases have been dropping since winter break.

She said classrooms have had to quarantined.

The two high schools, Bishop McGuinness High School and Mount St. Mary High School had extended fall breaks due to COVID cases.

Mount St. Mary had an extended winter break as well.

However, Floyd said there haven’t been major closures due to a COVID outbreak.

Floyd credits social distance protocols and face coverings.

But factors that hurt long term are helping this year.

Enrollment at Sacred Heart Catholic School in southwest OKC is down 27%.

That is leaving more space for the schools 122 kids to be socially distant.

Overall, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City said enrollment is down around 15% compared to before the pandemic.

The drop is mainly seen among younger students in classes that traditionally have waiting lists.

But Floyd expects enrollment to be back up in fall after this everchanging school year.

“We thought we were flexible before, we are very flexible now,” said Floyd.