3 Baltimore-Area Catholic Schools To Close

Three Archdiocese of Baltimore schools are set to close.

Seton Keough High School in Southwest Baltimore, St. Thomas Aquinias School in Hampden and John Paul Regional School in Woodlawn will shutter at the end of the current academic year, archdiocese officials confirmed. In all, 426 children will be affected, 71 of whom will graduate their current school at the end of the school year. The students who do have to move to another Catholic institution will still be charged the same tuition rate through at least next school year. The schools employ 102, and officials said in a statement they would try to retain as many employees as possible.

Archidocese officials said in a letter to Seton Keough parents that the decisions mark the end of an 18-month review of the area's Catholic schools.

"Our aim was to learn how we might improve upon our facilities to ensure our schools remain competitive and are as strong as they can be as we fulfill our promise of offering our students an academically excellent, values-based 21st century education," wrote Catholic schools Chancellor James Sellinger and superintendent Barbara McGraw Edmondson. "We also wanted to see where our school system could best serve the needs of other communities and, in some cases, where a Catholic school may no longer be viable in its current location."

The study targeted the schools for closure based on enrollment and facility condition. The campuses may ultimately be sold.

In addition to the closures, St. Clement Mary Hofbauer in Rosedale will merge with nearby St. Michael the Archangel School in Overlea. The decisions were unanimously approved by the archdiocese school board on Oct. 5.

“Recent enrollment statistics suggest that our system is poised to grow,” Sellinger said in a statement. “These decisions will allow us to invest dollars in areas that will keep Catholic schools competitive, attractive, and successful – such as facilities, technology, and tuition assistance. We are committed to ensuring Catholic schools remain exceptional and accessible, and to give the system a road map for growth in the years to come.”

In 2010, the archdiocese closed 13 schools.

Seton Keough officials said all events for the rest of the year would continue as planned, up to and including graduation.

"We have been working with the Archdiocese to ensure that if your daughter remains here at Seton Keough for the 2016- 2017 school year, her tuition assistance and scholarship money will follow her to her new Catholic high school at the same tuition rate you are paying this school year," wrote school President Donna Bridickas and school board chair Sister Peggy Juskelis. "Over the next three months, we will be working with each family to look at your options and advocate for your daughter so that she is in a school where she will be successful."