Diocese of Allentown schools receive $450k in grants for critical improvements | Schools

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Numerous schools in our region have been awarded funds through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD.) 

The Diocese of Allentown has announced that seven of its schools have been awarded a combined $450,055 in Targeted Safety Grant funding, according to a news release.

The grants will be applied during the 2026–2027 school year to support critical improvements in physical security infrastructure, mental health resources, and schoolwide behavioral wellness initiatives, officials said. 

The awards were made following a competitive statewide application process completed earlier this year, with schools across Pennsylvania competing for a share of $20.7 million in available state funding. 

Of the 10 diocesan schools that applied, seven received awards, according to officials.

Funded schools and their awarded amounts include Nativity ($36,555), St. Ignatius Loyola Regional ($75,000), Bethlehem Catholic High School ($68,000), Berks Catholic ($75,000), Sacred Heart School ($67,500), St. Michael the Archangel ($75,000), and St. Ann School ($53,000), officials said.

Five of the seven funded schools received their full requested amount, with individual grants ranging from $36,555 to $75,000, the maximum available under the program, the news release details. 

Planned improvements for the Diocese funded through the grant include upgraded security doors, enhanced camera systems, improved outdoor lighting and signage, mental health counseling services, and schoolwide positive behavioral health programs, according to officials.

“The safety and wellbeing of our students is a top priority for the Diocese, and these grants represent a meaningful investment in the environments where our children learn and grow,” said Dr. Michael St. Pierre, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Allentown. “We are grateful to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for this support, and proud of the schools that navigated a rigorous application process to secure these resources for their communities.”