Medford, Massachusetts Catholic school closing after nearly 100 years: "Tears came to my eyes"

Saint Joseph School has been in Medford, Massachusetts for nearly 100 years. The unexpected news that it will close in June has shocked parents, faculty and students.

The Archdiocese of Boston said it can't afford to keep the Catholic school, which educates kids from kindergarten through eighth grade, open any longer. It's been a part of Medford since 1929.

"Out of the blue"

"My daughter went here. My son went here. Now my grandkids and it's become a family here. It's the uncertainty that was thrown my daughter, my grandkids last Monday. It was kind of out of the blue, that was the problem," grandparent Tom Janedy said.  

Eleven-year-old Trey Dickens and his eight-year-old brother Earl love going to school here.

"I met all my friends here. I've been here since pre-k, since I was four," Trey said.

"My first friends were here and also I made lot of memories in this school," Earl said.  

The school said declining enrollment and the high cost to maintain the building played major roles in the decision to close.

"We simply cannot pass the growing costs of keeping the school open to families. The parish is not in a position to take on such expense and debt," the archdiocese said in a statement.

Lauren Fiore has been teaching science at the school for 13 years. Two of her children are also students there.

"As a parent I thought about my kids because that's all they know. And as a teacher, tears came to my eyes because it was my livelihood," she said.

Petition to save Saint Joseph School

Some parents have rallied together with a petition as a last-ditch effort to try and save the school.

"Right now, we have 575 signers. I did send it to the archbishop hoping that he would reconsider closing the school and give us at least a chance to do something about it," said Laurie Dickens, who started the petition.

The archdiocese said families can use this time to explore other Catholic education in the area for their children. They will also help the faculty find new jobs at other Catholic schools.