By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Plans are moving quickly to create a brand new Catholic elementary school in South Buffalo. The new school -- to be called Notre Dame Academy -- will open in September on Abbott Road at the St. Martin of Tours church.
Last month, the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo announced St. Martin and St. Thomas Aquinas schools in South Buffalo, as well as St. Bonaventure in West Seneca would consolidate into a single school.
Father Art Smith, Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas, says the tuition will actually be lower than what some parents are currently paying at the other schools.
"Tuition is going down because by pooling all of our resources -- there is strength in numbers -- we've been able to push forth a budget that reduces costs," Fr. Art said. "Tuition will go down significantly for one parish. It'll be about the same for another. So, we think that's good news for people."
As for the school's name, Father Art says everyone agreed on Notre Dame. He says it is the first time the name will be used for a Catholic school in South Buffalo.