‘My heart breaks:’ Chicago communities mourn after archdiocese announces 6 school closures

Six Catholic schools will close at the end of the school year due to low enrollment and ongoing deficits, according to the Chicago Archdiocese.

St. Francis Borgia, St. Bruno and Richard School, St. Jerome School, St. Stanislaus Kostka, Our Lady of Humility, and St. Hubert will close at the end of the 2026 school year.

Archdiocesan Superintendent of Schools Greg Richmond said in a statement that the schools were “no longer sustainable” in spite of efforts to raise money and boost enrollment.

St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy, a Polish Catholic school that opened 151 years ago, has strong historical ties to the area. The parish, known as “St. Stan,” was the first Polish Catholic church in Chicago and reportedly survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Father Anthony Bus, CR, pastor of the parish that operates the school, said that in spite of generosity from parishioners, the school will face a deficit of $500,000 by the end of the school year.

“My heart breaks for all of you who have found a healthy and holy refuge for your children at St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy,” Bus said in a statement to parishioners and families. “The dedication of the faculty and staff, their love for your children, and the sacrifices they have made are admirable.”

“Over the years I have worked with many of you and your families through personal and familial crises and challenges,” Bus said. “We have shared the joy of marriages, baptisms, and other religious events and the sorrows that come with the passing of loved ones, offering sacred farewells in the Rite of Funerals. Please know the parish doors are always open to all of you, 24/7, all day and all night.”

Another Chicago Catholic school, St. Francis Borgia, will close at the end of the year.

Families and alumni raised funds online to keep St. Francis Borgia open — but it still wasn’t enough.

Families learned at the start of the school year that the archdiocese needed a $400,000 advance within the next two months for the school to continue, so they began to fundraise online.

“Losing this school would break the heart of our community,” read the post on GoFundMe by Julio Mendoza.

“St. Francis Borgia has long been a cornerstone of a hardworking, blue-collar community — providing not only strong academics but a faith-centered environment that shapes future leaders,” Mendoza wrote. “Our graduates regularly earn high school scholarships and perform exceptionally well due to the strong foundation built here.”

“Our students regularly achieve at or above grade level at rates far higher than many surrounding schools,” he continued. “These results speak to the dedication of our faculty, the involvement of our families, and the commitment of our students.

Supporters raised almost $7,000 via a GoFundMe — 2% of the archdiocese’s required amount.

“St. Francis Borgia isn’t just any school,” Mendoza said. “It’s where our children form lifelong friendships. It’s where teachers know every student by name. It’s where faith meets education, and where students feel safe, supported, and loved.”

St. Jerome’s parish school also faced an anticipated deficit of a similar value — more than $450,000.

“While in my heart I struggle with this decision, I must accept it because we do not have the financial means to support the school at this time,” said Father Antonio Musa, OFM, pastor of the parish, in a letter to the community.

Musa cited the loss of state scholarships as a factor that forced many school families to withdraw their students.

“The loss of government scholarship funds that were taken from Catholic schools by the state of Illinois in the last couple of years affected our school families, and we lost many students as a result,” he said.

But Musa still hopes “to continue the important mission of Catholic education at St. Jerome’s Parish.”

“We want to assure you that you and your children are welcome to continue serving as altar servers, lectors, ushers, cantors, and gift bearers at our church,” Musa said. “You are our parishioners and we are not giving up on you!”

Source: https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/my-heart-breaks-chicago-communities-mourn-after-archdiocese-announces-6-school-closures