Archdiocese Announces Closure of St. Louis Catholic School in Louisville

After years of declining enrollment and accompanying financial challenges, the parochial school will close its doors at the end of the academic year.

(Photo by Andrew Wright/Denver Catholic)

Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila announced on Friday the difficult decision to close St. Louis Catholic School in Louisville at the end of the academic year. The decision comes after several years of challenges. 

In announcing the school's closure, the archbishop, along with Dr. Kemmery Hill, superintendent of Catholic Schools, and Dr. Scott Elmer, chief mission officer for the archdiocese, cited low enrollment, changing demographics, and financial strain on both the school and the parish. 

“Despite tireless efforts to increase enrollment and stabilize finances, the student body has steadily declined to just 85 and has been under 100 for several years,” the joint letter to school families read. “A Catholic school in our archdiocese requires at least 160 students to remain financially and programmatically viable. When we look at the criteria for making the difficult decision to close a school, we consider low and declining enrollment over several years, the corresponding financial strain on the parish, and the quality of education that risks declining with fewer resources.” 

With a third-grade class of only four students, St. Louis Catholic School “cannot provide the range of opportunities, friendships and learning experiences a thriving Catholic school community can offer.” Additionally, with several other Catholic schools in the area, the joint letter noted, the cost to maintain such a small school is “not justified.” 

St. Louis has not been alone in these challenges, either. In addition to recent Catholic school closures and a merger due to low enrollment, Denver Public Schools has closed seven and reorganized three schools last year. Since 2021, Jefferson County has closed 21 schools, and Douglas County has also closed or consolidated schools recently due to changing demographics and budget concerns.  

To address these shared challenges across the archdiocese, Archbishop Aquila recently announced the formation of three committees focused on Catholic education’s “why,” school vitality and actionable recommendations. 

While it is only the latest local school community to be affected by shifting demographics and the accompanying financial challenges, St. Louis Catholic School has seen a sharp decrease in the number of Catholic families in the area and smaller family sizes. 

“In the past five years, enrollment at St. Louis has dropped by 35 percent,” the letter noted, which has caused the parish to bear the financial burden of keeping the school open. “While this sacrifice reflects a deep love for Catholic education, doing so consistently, and with no end in sight, eventually puts the sustainability of the parish at risk.” 

The heroic efforts of school teachers, staff and leaders over the last 120 years — and most especially in recent years, as the school has faced these challenges — do not go unnoticed, the archbishop noted. 

“For 120 years, St. Louis Catholic School has been a beacon of faith and formation,” the joint letter read. “Founded in a modest four-room schoolhouse, it has stood as ‘the little school with the big heart,’ shaping young men and women in wisdom, service, and love of Christ. Generations of teachers and staff, in partnership with parents, have prepared students for lives of discipleship, success, and generosity. We give thanks to God for the blessings that have flowed through this school’s ministry. 

“This closure in no way reflects [teachers and staff’s] outstanding service,” the letter later added. “They have been a blessing to your children and a witness to Christ’s love.” 

Those teachers and staff, the letter noted, will be supported through the Office of Catholic Schools in finding new positions in other Catholic schools.  

St. Louis students and families will also receive support during the transition through informational materials on other local Catholic schools. The letter also noted that scholarships from Seeds of Hope, ACE and Schmitz Family Foundation will follow students to a new Catholic school. 

Acknowledging that the closing of a school community understandably raises a slew of emotions, the archbishop promised his prayers for the students, families and community. 

“Together, we place our trust in the Lord, who promises us hope and a future: ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord … to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 23:11),” he concluded. “May Christ comfort you in this time of sorrow and strengthen you with his peace and hope.”