Five Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic schools will close

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The Archdiocese of Chicago announced Jan. 13 that five Catholic schools will close at the end of the 2019/2020 school year. The schools — St. Colette School, Rolling Meadows; St. Jane de Chantal School, Chicago; St. Joseph School, Round Lake; St. Louise de Marillac School, La Grange Park; and St. Maria Goretti School, Schiller Park — will close June 30 due to low enrollment and financial difficulties.

“School closures are difficult and complicated and we realize the impact this has on students, their families and our staff. We are committed to making the transition caused by these closures as seamless as possible,” said Jim Rigg, superintendent of Catholic Schools. “The archdiocese will be working with each affected student and employee to assist them in finding places at other Catholic schools.”

• St. Colette School in Rolling Meadows has faced declining enrollment in recent years, which has created financial strain on the school. As a result of the loss of 97 students in the last three years, the school faces a $500,000 deficit this year. Despite strong efforts, the school does not have sufficient fundraising to cover the deficit.

• St. Jane de Chantal School, 5201 S. McVicker Ave., has faced decreasing enrollment in recent years, which has created financial constraints on the school. As a result of the loss of 92 students in the last three years, the archdiocese set a fundraising target for the school of $357,000, which would allow the school to continue operations for another school year. Despite strong efforts, the school has not met financial targets.

• St. Joseph School in Round Lake has faced low enrollment in recent years, causing financial difficulties on the school. As a result of the loss of 70 students in the last four years, the school faces a $575,000 deficit this year. The school does not have sufficient fundraising to cover the deficit and outside donors have not stepped forward despite strong efforts.

• St. Louise de Marillac School in La Grange Park has faced low enrollment in recent years, which has created financial strain on the school. The archdiocese set targets to grow enrollment each year and remain financially solvent. As a result of the loss of 38 students this year, the school now faces a $250,000 deficit. The school does not have sufficient fundraising to cover the deficit and outside donors have not stepped forward despite their best efforts.

• St. Maria Goretti School in Schiller Park  has faced declining enrollment in recent years, which has created financial constraints on the school. As a result of the loss of 73 students in the last three years, the archdiocese set an enrollment target of 150 students for the current school year. Despite strong efforts, the school has not met enrollment targets.

In a separate announcement, the board of directors of Guerin College Prep in River Grove announced Jan. 16 that their school will close at the end of the academic year. Sponsored by the Sisters of Providence, the school cited declining enrollment, increased need for financial aid for students and lower than expected fundraising results as the reasons for its closure.