Jan. 06--Supporters of St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic School said Tuesday the Prospect Heights school's future remains uncertain even though it was not on the Chicago Roman Catholic Archdiocese's list of three schools slated for closure next fall.
"The Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Catholic Schools is in active discussions with Saint Alphonsus Liguori Parish and School leaders," archdiocese spokeswoman Susan Burritt said in an email statement Tuesday evening.
"No decisions regarding the future of Saint Alphonsus Liguori School have been made to date. We will share more information as soon as it is available," she said.
On Tuesday afternoon, archdiocese officials announced that Saint Agatha Catholic Academy in Chicago, Saint Peter School in Antioch, and Seton Academy in South Holland would be shuttered next fall.St. Alphonsus was not on the list of schools that will close at the end of the 2015-2016 school year.
"They're still asking us to jump through hoops," said Amy Principi, whose family's $25,000 donation helped St. Alphonsus' fundraisers reach their goal of raising more than $300,000 in pledged donations by Jan. 4.
"It's good news that we're not on the list, but no one is jumping up and down just yet," Principi added.
The archdiocese notified St. Alphonsus in December that it was at risk of closing after the current school year unless it was able to secure donation pledges for its operating budget, increase enrollment and ensure that 90 percent of students would return in the fall.
While the school weathered a sudden decline last summer to just 129 students, its enrollment is up to 165 students -- 15 students shy of the 180 students required to be enrolled by next fall.
"They are requesting written proof that families will promise to come back next fall," Principi said, adding: "I'm going to continue to be hopeful."
kcullotta@tribpub.com
