HOLYOKE — Faced with a steady decline in enrollment that began 15 years ago and with no sign of reversing the trend, Blessed Sacrament School will close at the end of the current academic year in June.
Father Duy Le and the parish’s Financial Council on Thursday announced the decision to close the 103-year-old Catholic pre-K through eighth grade school located at 21 Westfield Road. In a letter to families, Le said the decision was made with a “heavy heart.”
“This decision is not a reflection of the goodness of our school, our families, or our community,” Le wrote. “Blessed Sacrament School has been, and remains, a place of faith, dedication, and love. However, as stewards of the parish, we are called not only to hope, but to face reality honestly and responsibly.”
Duy explained that the parish could no longer underwrite the school’s growing financial deficit without putting the entire parish’s future in jeopardy. He noted that enrollment has declined from 300 students in 2010 to 112 this school year, with projections showing that the parish would have to cover more than $275,000 each year going forward. To break even and cover the $914,000 a year it costs to operate the school would require about 175 students.
“For many years, the parish has stepped in repeatedly, injecting significant financial support to cover these deficits,” Le wrote. “These sacrifices were made out of love, commitment and hope. However, hope alone cannot replace sustainability.”
Blessed Sacrament tried over an extended period of time to examine multiple educational models in an effort to sustain the school, including different grade-level configurations, staffing structures, enrollment scenarios and financial projections. Le said none of the models studied could overcome the roadblocks of low enrollment, inadequate staffing and financial losses.
Diocese of Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne approved the decision to close the school, noting that “School Choice and charter schools have impacted enrollment at all of our schools, but those aren’t the only reasons. There is little doubt that the decline in active membership in our faith community has brought us to this moment.”
Byrne said that the diocese needs to find ways to prevent future closings by engaging in efforts that will turn around parish membership trends. “I remain confident and hopeful that outreach efforts, some now in the planning stages, along with others we have undertaken in recent years, will bear the fruit of a revitalized Church.”
Holyoke is home to another Catholic school, Mater Dolorosa School on Maple Street.
Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia called the pending school closure a “profound loss” for the community. “On behalf of the City of Holyoke, I extend our deepest gratitude to the dedicated teachers, staff, administrators, pastors, and parishioners who have poured their hearts into Blessed Sacrament School over the years,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
“Holyoke’s strength has always come from our shared commitment to every child’s success, regardless of background or path,” he wrote. “While we mourn the closing of this cherished school, we will continue working together to build brighter futures for our young people.”