South Boston elementary school to close

By Jillian Jorgensen, Globe Correspondent

St. Mary Elementary School in South Boston will close at the end of the academic year due to decreased enrollment and increased costs, the Archdiocese of Boston announced today.

The school has seen a 45 percent decline in enrollment since 2003. Enrollment dropped from 148 students a year ago to 105 this year, a statement released by the archdiocese said.

School personnel expected that no more than 85 students would have enrolled for the next academic year, making the school financially impossible to operate, the statement said.

Every student enrolled in the school is guaranteed a seat in one of the neighboring Catholic elementary schools, which include Gate of Heaven Elementary School, St. Brigid Elementary School and the new Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy.

The 10 teachers at the St. Mary Elementary School will be placed on a priority list for openings at other Catholic schools, the statement said. There are 15 other staff members at St. Mary Elementary School, including secretaries, janitors and school aides.

Teachers were notified of the closure today and parents were notified tonight.The school will close June 30.

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