Catholic Academy of West Buffalo (CAWB) and Our Lady of Victory Elementary School (OLV) in Lackawanna will consolidate next September as the Diocese of Buffalo seeks to strengthen Catholic elementary education. Pre-K through Eighth Grade students will attend classes at OLV where 100% of their eighth graders who apply to private schools with selective admissions received acceptance letters.

 

“This is a significant, yet bittersweet moment for all those connected with Catholic Academy of West Buffalo,” said CAWB Board Chair John J. Hurley. “CAWB is a venerable institution on Delaware Avenue that in recent years has done an extraordinary job of educating Buffalo’s newest citizens. Unfortunately, declining enrollment and a physical plant that requires major capital upgrades dictated that we look at new approaches to sustain our mission.” 

 

The decision was made by the CAWB Board in consultation with the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Buffalo.

 

CAWB met with its families to begin to review the transition process and answer questions. OLV leaders will follow up with CAWB families to welcome them to the South Park Ave. campus for a series of open houses and shadow days.  

 

    “This consolidation will create a sustainable model of a Catholic elementary school that can independently stand on its own and flourish,” said Superintendent of Catholic Schools Joleen Dimitroff, who has worked with both schools to bring about this consolidation. “Schools with higher enrollment are much more likely to succeed and that is what we expect to happen in this situation. The consolidation of these two schools will strengthen Catholic elementary education in Buffalo and Lackawanna.”

 

Eligible students from both schools will continue to be afforded the opportunity to apply to The BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund for tuition assistance. “Both CAWB and OLV have been among the leading recipients of BISON funding for many years,” said Clara S. Moran, executive director of BISON. “These schools provide an outstanding private education to so many families in Buffalo and Lackawanna.”

 

“Our eighth graders at CAWB will have all of their graduation celebrations, including the graduation Mass and ceremony,” said Principal Earl Schunk. “CAWB is working with OLV to identify important CAWB traditions that we hope can be carried over to OLV. CAWB will also coordinate with the diocese to plan an appropriate closing event for the school to honor its history and contributions to Catholic education in Buffalo.”

We will work tirelessly to integrate Catholic Academy students and families into our school community,” said OLV Principal Mary Szlosek. “In addition to nurturing classrooms staffed by veteran teachers, incoming students will experience cutting-edge technology offerings and top-tier extracurricular activities like sports, choir, and service club. Our school motto is ‘Be the Light’ and it is our sincere hope that by fostering strong Catholic values and striving for academic excellence, we will empower each Catholic Academy student joining our school community to grow into a successful, well-rounded, and compassionate individual guided by faith.”

“I am so elated with the consolidation of Catholic Academy of West Buffalo and Our Lady of Victory Elementary School,” said Msgr. David LiPuma, OLV National Shrine & Basilica pastor/rector. “They are two wonderful schools that provide excellence in Catholic education. This is truly a consolidation. It is the closing of a ‘building’ and taking the ‘heart’ of CAWB and joining it to the ‘heart’ of OLV Elementary!”

Father Nelson Baker began providing Catholic education in his “City of Charity” over 130 years ago. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Victory, Father Baker believed strongly in the precious gift of our children and possessed an ardent desire to provide the best in quality Catholic education and the formation of young hearts and minds. OLV’s motto, especially during this time observing the centennial of the building of the Basilica (2021-2026), is, “All are Welcome!” 

 

“And so, we warmly welcome and embrace all the students and families of Catholic Academy,” Msgr. LiPuma said. “I know that together we can create a strong and vibrant school through the intercession of the Venerable Nelson Baker and the protection of Our Lady of Victory.”

 

    The CAWB school building is owned by Blessed Sacrament Parish, located next door. Hurley noted the building needs significant repair work including at least $500,000 for a new roof that is more than 60 years old and a new boiler system. “We were not in a financial position to invest in the building. Our resources will be best spent educating our students and investing in academic and curricular programs that will prepare our students for their high school careers and beyond,” he said.