CHICAGO (May 8, 2006) – Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, has accepted the recommendation of the Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools that Our Lady of Loretto School in Hometown, will close in June at the end of this school year. It was earlier announced that St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr elementary school in Posen would also close in 2006.

The recommendation to close Our Lady of Loretto was made to the Cardinal after consultation, research and review among archdiocesan officials and parish and school leadership. “The school’s continuing enrollment decline, in spite of recent, intensive registration efforts, along with increasing operational costs, and a projected budget deficit for next year exceeding $300,000 has left the Archdiocese no other choice but to close the school,“ said Chicago Catholic School Superintendent Dr. Nicholas Wolsonovich.

“We deeply regret having to close this one school at such a late date in the school calendar,” Wolsonovich stated, “ but the fact is that everyone with Our Lady of Loretto school and parish leadership has worked very hard during the past month to reverse the financial and enrollment difficulties.” Wolsonovich added that his office would provide Our Lady of Loretto students and their families information to assist them in continuing their education in a Catholic school. Wolsonovich explained that there are a dozen Catholic elementary schools within a three-mile radius of Our Lady of Loretto that are ready to welcome their pre-school through eighth-grade students.

“The faculty, administrators and families at Our Lady of Loretto have put forth great effort to provide the highest level of Catholic education for their children and we are grateful for the excellent way they have used their talents and skills in support of this school,” Wolsonovich said. The Archdiocese remains committed to maintaining a system of Catholic schools that deliver the highest quality education in a faith environment.

The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago play a critical role in the life of the community by providing academic excellence and faith formation for students of many races, faiths and backgrounds in elementary and secondary schools in Cook and Lake counties. There are 218 elementary and 40 secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago. To locate a Catholic school in your area and learn more about Catholic education in Cook and Lake counties, visit the Office of Catholic Schools web page on the Archdiocese of Chicago web site at www.archchicago.org.