FITCHBURG — St. Bernard’s High School, a private Catholic school located at 45 Harvard Street, has launched a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $2 million dollars after an anonymous donor offered a 3:1 endowment match on the first $2,000,000 raised by June 30, 2025.
That means, if the high school raises $2 million dollars, the donor will donate $6 million dollars for a total $8 million dollar endowment.
According to the Endowment Campaign page on the high school’s website, St. Bernard’s High School intends to use the endowment to finance faculty positions, student scholarships, and fund research projects, all aimed at enhancing the institution’s long-term stability and development.
“Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for the generosity of our donor, and the opportunities this presents. Thanks to their kindness, and to those who have already contributed, as we are one step closer to our $2 million match goal by June 30, 2025,” St. Bernard’s High School wrote on its Facebook page. “This is just the beginning, and we are committed to working tirelessly to meet our goal.”
In 2019, the Worcester Diocese contemplated shutting down St. Bernard’s High School due to low enrollment, that year enrollment dropped sharply from over 400 students to 105 and the school was projected to have a six-figure deficit.
“Back in 2019, we were in disaster mode,” Nicholas Pelletier, a member of the school’s Board of Trustees told the Telegram & Gazette. “And when you’re in disaster mode, you’re trying to put out every fire you can to save the entire community. And now, what I think we are looking for is sustainability mode. We repositioned ourselves from what was trying to solve a problem to now create sustainability going forward.”
Then, in July 2020, the Worcester Diocese allowed the school to privatize.
Since that time, St. Bernard’s High School has seen a steady increase in enrollment, with the school currently serving 236 students from 33 communities throughout North Central Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.
| September Opening | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment | 105 | 158 | 181 | 200 | 207 | 234 |
| Increase | 53 | 23 | 29 | 7 | 27 | |
| % Increase | 50% | 15% | 10% | 4% | 13% |
“A lot of people look at private education as something that’s only for the wealthy,” Pelletier said. “And St. Bernard’s has really prided itself for having a broad range of students from every economic background. And because of that, part of our budget is financially in scholarships. It’s a key component in making sure that the school is achievable for all individuals.”
The school has not released the name of the anonymous donor or the donor’s affiliation with St. Bernard’s.
To support the school’s endowment fund, go here.