Sts. Bruno and Richard School is one of six schools the Archdiocese of Chicago has announced will be closing at the end of the school year.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the difficult news that Sts. Bruno and Richard School will close at the end of this school year,” Pastor Principal Father Andrew Bartos Mary Arevalo wrote to parents and students. “Due to low enrollment, high deficits, and despite the hard work of many people, the school is no longer sustainable.
“Our focus now is on supporting our students, families, teachers, and staff as we process this transition. Families will receive assistance in transitioning financial aid and finding another Catholic school, and our teachers and staff will receive support as they seek new roles at other schools within the Archdiocese. Working together, we aim to make this difficult transition as seamless as possible.
“To everyone who has been part of the Sts. Bruno and Richard family, our dedicated school families, volunteers, educators, alumni, and generous donors thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your steadfast support is what has made Sts. Bruno and Richard such a special place since our doors first opened decades ago.
“While we mourn this chapter is coming to a close, we know that the spirit and legacy of Sts. Bruno and Richard will live on in the hearts of our students, alumni, and community for years to come.
“In the months ahead, we want to make the remainder of this school year a celebration of our school community’s legacy. Together, we will honor the memories, friendships, and faith that have made Sts. Bruno and Richard School a place like no other.”
“We made these decisions with heavy hearts after months of discussions with each school,” Catholic Schools Superintendent Greg Richmond said in a statement. “Many people have worked hard at each school to raise money and try to boost enrollment. We recognize and value those efforts but, in the end, the schools were not able to close the gaps and they are no longer sustainable.”
Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd) sent a letter Feb. 2 to the archdiocese opposing the decision:
“I urge you to reconsider this decision, especially its profound impact on our children and families. St. Bruno and St. Richard School, formed in 2020, provides a vital Catholic education to about 200 students in a close-knit community. Closing would disrupt their learning and force them into overcrowded nearby public schools, exacerbating resource strains and potentially harming their academic and social development.
“Our local public schools in the Archer Heights area and Southwest Side are already at capacity, facing challenges related to overcrowding that could worsen with an influx of students from closing Catholic schools. This shift would place additional pressure on teachers, facilities, and support services, ultimately hurting the students we seek to nurture. These children deserve stability and the opportunity to thrive in an environment tailored to their needs, not one stretched thin by increased demand.
“Moreover, these students deserve a great Catholic education that integrates faith, values, and academic excellence. I speak from personal experience as a product of Catholic education. Raised by a single mother who sacrificed greatly to send me to St. Pancratius Elementary School and Immaculate Conception Elementary School in the Brighton Park neighborhood and Lourdes High School in the West Lawn neighborhood; I credit that foundation with instilling in me the skills, discipline, and moral compass that have enabled me to succeed in public service and beyond. The values of compassion, integrity, and community that I learned there continue to guide my work every day.
“In the same spirit, I send my son to a Catholic school, St. Daniel the Prophet School, for its rigorous education and to instill faith and charity. This decision has been transformative, reinforcing the importance of a holistic learning approach that public schools often can’t replicate.
“Cardinal Cupich, the closure of St. Bruno and Richard School is a loss to our community’s spiritual and educational fabric. Please explore alternative solutions like increased fundraising, partnerships, or reevaluating enrollment strategies to keep it open. Our families are committed to its success, and I stand ready to help in any way I can. At a time when young people are bombarded by messages and images that draw them further from God, this closure poses a dangerous threat to our community.”
Closing are Sts. Bruno and Richard, 5025 S. Kenneth Ave., Our Lady of Humility in Beach Park, St. Hubert in Hoffman Estates, and St. Jerome, St. Francis Borgia and St. Stanislaus Kostka in Chicago.