(The Archdiocese of Washington issued the following statement on Aug. 1, 2020.)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, July 31, the Montgomery County Health Department directed non-public schools – including private, parochial, and schools affiliated with religious institutions – to remain closed for in-person instruction through October 1. 

Archdiocese of Washington leadership is currently reviewing the directive, as well as Governor Hogan’s statements, and will evaluate to decide how best to proceed for students and the entire community. The Schools Office will provide guidance to school leaders in the coming days on any next steps.

Archbishop Wilton Gregory and the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese of Washington have been working with school pastors and principals to finalize and approve individual Catholic school reopening plans. These models include virtual at-home academic instruction, in-person academic instruction and a blended model that includes both virtual and in-person instruction for our students. Great care has been taken by our school leaders to create reopening plans that follow all current state and national guidelines for reopening schools.  

“The Archdiocese of Washington continues to have the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and parents uppermost in mind and heart as we make our decisions regarding the reopening of our Catholic schools,” says Washington Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory. “We will continue to strive to be both good citizens as well as to be faithful to our religious principles, pastoral mission and our obligations to our families.”

The Archdiocese of Washington is home to over 655,000 Catholics, 139 parishes and 93 Catholic schools, located in Washington, D.C., and five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.