Bishop Edward Lohse of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Michigan, announced during a Feb. 2 press conference that the diocese plans to restructure four Catholic schools into a diocese-sponsored school system.

“We are building for the future,” Bishop Lohse said during the conference, according to WOOD TV8, an NBC affiliate. “What that means is the schools effectively become diocesan schools and no longer parish schools. This is a model well-known and common in other dioceses, but it is new here. And it has proven to be effective across the country.”

As of March 1, Light of Christ Academy in Augusta and three schools in Kalamazoo — St. Augustine Cathedral SchoolSt. Monica School, and Hackett Catholic Prep — will become a part of the newly consolidated school system: Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo (CSGK). Together, these three schools educate students in every grade from kindergarten through to high school.

The fruit of a diocesan task force Bishop Loshe appointed in 2025, the new plan allows each school to retain its name, location, and student body. It also spreads out responsibility for the schools, which were formerly parochial schools. Under the restructuring, the nine parishes in Kalamazoo will collaborate to provide financial and ministerial support for the four schools.

“This restructuring will clarify lines of authority as well as lines of accountability,”  Bishop Lohse said, according to a Feb. 2 press release. “It provides a common vision, strengthens the system’s financial foundation and positions us to grow enrollment. Additionally, we plan to solidify our Catholic identity while honoring and preserving the unique spirit, charisms and personality of each school.”

The bishop explained that while he believes that the restructuring will help the schools to run more effectively, parents do not need to prepare for any noticeable changes in the day-to-day lives of their children.

A search is underway to fill the new position of president of CSGK. Once the role is filled, each school’s principal will report to the president, who will in turn report to CSGK’s board.

According to WOOD TV8, the bishop said that the restructuring could become a model for the other 15 Catholic schools in the diocese.

“We are committed to its success,” Bishop Lohse said.