St. Leonard Elementary School in Louisville has announced that it will be closing after the 2019-20 school year.
A statement from the Archdiocese of Louisville says the school has seen a decline in enrollment and is facing funding challenges. The parish says it is no longer able to meet its obligations in the near future.
"We have not attracted the number of students needed by this point to continue without our debt rapidly growing and the quality of our children's education suffering," says Father Louis Meiman.
St. Leonard opened the school in 1957.
The 120 students enrolled at the school, which ranges from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade.
Parents say they feel frustrated with the lack of transparency in the closing decision.
"I felt completely blindsided. I had no idea this was coming," says Katrina Pierce, who has two children in the school and also attended classes there as a child. "I opened the email in the middle of the store and was flabbergasted that the first line said 'Sorry to tell you St. Leonard is closing.'"
