Declining Enrollment Causes 2 Catholic Schools to Close in Milford, East Haven

St. Gabriel School in Milford and St. Vincent de Paul School in East Haven said it will shut its doors in June due to declining enrollment and fiscal deficits, the Archidioscese of Hartford said. 

The parish-owned schools said that after meeting with stakeholders--which includes members from the parish school board and parents-- the local parishes made a decision to shut down after this school year. 

The two schools serve pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. 

The Archdiocese of Hartford said it has provided "significant" support for the schools in the last few years. St. Vincent de Paul School was given $400,000 for financial support since 2008 from the Archbishop's Annual Appeal and other donations but the cost was not enough to keep the school open, the Archdiocese said. 

For the calendar-year ending on December 31, 2015, Saint Gabriel School has a $111,709 operating deficit, despite a direct parish subsidy of $348,789, $60,000 from the CSSP and $15,000 from the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, the Archdiocese said. 

Parents will be given a $500 per year tuition scholarship for two consecutive years for each transferring student. In addition, Saint Mary in Milford will provide another $500 per year tuition for students coming from Saint Gabriel for two years. 

Other Catholic schools located in south central Connecticut include Saint Mary School in Branford, Saint Rita School in Hamden, Saint Stephen School in Hamden, Our Lady of Mercy School in Madison, Saint Mary School in Milford, Saint Aedan-Saint Brendan in New Haven, Saint Bernadette School in New Haven, Saint Francis-Saint Rose of Lima School in New Haven, Saint Martin de Porres Academy in New Haven, Our lady of Victory School in West Haven, Saint Lawrence School in West Haven. 

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