St. Walter and St. Benedict Schools Will Merge At End Of Year

CHICAGO — The Archdiocese of Chicago will close four Catholic elementary schools and consolidate two others due to declining enrollment and financial deficits. The changes take effect June 30.

St. Walter School in the Morgan Park neighborhood will combine with St. Benedict School in Blue Island, the archdiocese announced. The schools will unite as one but continue classes at two campuses. Children in the upper grades will attend St. Benedict, 2339 York St, Blue Island, and lower grades at St. Walter, 11741 S Western Ave, Chicago. Both campuses are approximately a mile apart. In 2018, parents, parishioners and community members were able to save St. Walter School from closing through heroic fundraising efforts.

The unification of St. Walter and St. Benedict, which will be called St. Walter-St. Benedict School, is being done in cohort with the archdiocese’s Renew My Church. A more permanent name will be decided later. The upper grades will be able to take advantage of St. Benedict’s gymnasium and science lab, while the St. Walter building has one floor more appropriate for lower grades. Preschool may be offered at both sites. A principal will be named for the new school and staffs are encouraged to apply to the unified school. Special preference will be given to current staff members over outside applications.

“The bringing together of these two schools helps stabilize them financially,” said Dr. Jim Rigg in a new release, superintendent of Chicago Catholic Schools. “This structure will also give us classroom space to grow.”

Four other parochial schools are also being shuttered at the end of the current school year based on their low and steadily declining enrollment and large financial deficits. The archdiocese said the four schools have experienced a combined average of 31-percent decrease in their enrollment in the last four years. Declining enrollment at the schools has created a combined deficit of about $1.2 million for the current school year. Despite stong fundraising, the schools could not cover their debts, forcing Cardinal Blase Cupich into making a “difficult decision,” the archdiocese said in a news release.

St. Ann School in Lansing has lost 62 students over the last four years, and faces a $279,000 deficit.

St. Joseph School in Summit has faced similar enrollment challenges, losing 60 students. The school faces a deficit of $345,000 this year.

Christ Our Savior School, South Holland, has experienced a 24-percent drop in enrollment over the past four years, putting a financial strain on the school. With the loss of 41 students, the school faces a $300,000 deficit this year.

Sacred Heart School, Melrose Park, has seen a 33-percent decline in enrollment over the last four years, losing 65 students. The school faces a $207,000 deficit this year.

“School closures are always difficult because we recognize the impact they have on students, their families and our staff,” Rigg said. “The archdiocese will work with each affected student and employee to assist them in finding places at other Catholic schools wherever possible.”