Dear brothers and sisters
With great sadness, I write to inform you that today, the Archdiocese announced the closure of five schools, effective at the end of this school year. Along with a separate announcement last week about the closure of St. Stanislaus Kostka, the six schools that will close at the end of this school year are:
- Our Lady of Humility, Beach Park
- Sts. Bruno and Richard, Chicago
- St. Francis Borgia, Chicago
- St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates
- St. Jerome, Chicago
- St. Stanislaus Kostka, Chicago
Each of these schools has a low enrollment (all under 200) and a high deficit (all six-figures). The Office of Catholic Schools has been communicating and working with the leadership of these parishes and schools for many months, sometimes years, in hopes of averting this day. While one can explain these actions logically, it is impossible to view these closures in a positive light.
In the coming days and weeks, the Office of Catholic Schools and the Archdiocese Human Resources Department will be working to support the students, families, and staff at these schools. We will have counselors at the schools to support students and HR Managers to assist employees. Our scholarship team will also be providing support to families looking to enroll in another Catholic school. OCS will also host a Q&A on February 2 for principals at receiving schools to assist with marketing and enrollment questions and suggestions.
Right now, there is a lot of sadness and pain in these parishes and schools, and I ask that we all keep those students, families, educators, and staff in our prayers.
In Christ,
Greg Richmond Superintendent of Catholic Schools