Catholic schools have been bleeding enrollment and money for years, and many have been forced to close. But some, like St. Stephen of Hungary, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, have found a way to thrive \u201d\u201d attracting a more affluent clientele by offering services and classes more commonly found in expensive private schools.<\/p>\n
Selling points include small class sizes and extracurricular activities beginning in the youngest grades. And by often charging far less, these schools have been able to stabilize themselves and even grow.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur competition or our standard isn\u2019t another good Catholic school,\u201d\u009d said the Rev. Angelo Gambatese, the pastor at St. Stephen of Hungary church, which shares a building with the school. \u201cIt\u2019s the best independent schools in Manhattan, and we intend to achieve the same level of performance that they do, academically, developmentally.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n