The Villa Maria Cathedral Preparatory Catholic School System (VMCPCSS) is advancing plans to explore relocating Mother Teresa Academy (MTA) to the Blessed Sacrament campus beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year. VMCPCSS, which operates Cathedral Prep and MTA, collaborates with Catholic schools across the Diocese of Erie to provide faith-based education to the community.
As part of this process, VMCPCSS leadership will hold community meetings in early December with school families and parishioners to share details, answer questions, and gather feedback.
“We began considering this move last summer and knew these conversations were essential to making a well-informed recommendation,” said Kevin Smith, President of VMCPCSS. “We want to hear directly from families, parishioners, and community members about how this move could best serve our students and strengthen Catholic education in Erie.”
Feedback from these sessions will be compiled into a report for the VMCPCSS Board of Directors and the Diocese of Erie. The Board will use this report to make a recommendation to the Corporate Members, including Bishop Lawrence Persico.
Jason Ladouceur, Vice President of Academics and Student Affairs, emphasized collaboration: “Our mission is rooted in service, accessibility, and excellence. By engaging openly with our community, we ensure the decision reflects both the needs of our students and the values of Catholic education.”
Mother Teresa Academy provides a values-driven K–8 education that combines Catholic tradition with research-based practices. Serving Erie’s most economically challenged neighborhoods, MTA focuses on accessibility and partners with community leaders to expand opportunities for underserved students.
With strong student outcomes and growing enrollment beyond current capacity, the Blessed Sacrament campus offers larger facilities and a supportive parish environment to further MTA’s mission of transforming lives in spirit, mind, and body.