The growth of a private Cleveland school comes at a high price: its status with the Catholic Church.
For the past 50 years, Urban Community School, now at West 48th Street and Lorain Avenue, was accredited by the Catholic Church.
Not anymore.
Administrators say it boiled down to a new multi-million-dollar MetroHealth clinic that their board approved on their land.
Likely to give contraceptive referrals among its services, it would be in violation of the church’s moral teachings.
“The diocese is in a tough spot on it,” said Tom Gill, Urban’s president. “We respect the diocese’s doctrine and the decision that they felt that they had to make and the consequences that came.”
The diocese declined a request for an on-camera interview Wednesday but released a statement which said they were saddened that the clinic was not in compliance with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Healthcare in the Catholic Church.
“Compliance…is vitally important to ensure that healthcare is delivered in a manner that is consistent with the moral teaching of the Church,” it read.
Founded by Ursuline nuns, Urban Community School was the answer to declining enrollment at nearby Saint Pat’s, Saint Malachi, and Saint Wendelin.
Gill points out that much at the school will stay the same, despite being stripped of their accreditation.
Religion class will continue for the roughly 20% of Catholic students who attend, however they will no longer receive sacraments. Three Ursuline nuns will likely continue their work.
Gill says Urban is now seeking accreditation through the Independent Schools Association of the Central States, which includes Gilmour Academy, Hathaway-Brown and Hawken, among others.
“For us, it’s all about our mission,” he said. “It’s all about our children and families that we serve. We see this as directly in line with what we’ve done here for 50 years.”
The new building is scheduled to open in early 2020. The Cleveland Food Bank, Legal Aid, and United Way will also share space there.