Diocese Announces Closure of Bishop Connolly High School Author: The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D. Press Releases and Statements 8 Mar 2023 Share FALL RIVER – The Diocese of Fall River announced today that Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River will cease operations at the end of the 2022-23 academic year. Despite the Diocese’s best efforts to maintain the operational and financial viability of this school, the continued decline in enrollment and substantial financial impact of the pandemic and current economic environment have proven unsustainable. Over the past many years, the Diocese of Fall River has worked very hard to maintain educational excellence, expand enrollment and recruitment activities, and bolster financial aid opportunities at Bishop Connolly High School. Despite these efforts, Bishop Connolly has experienced a significant decline in enrollment and, as a result, the Diocese has spent over $1 million to sustain the school over the past five years. The Diocese no longer has the resources to continue to keep Bishop Connolly operational. “While we sincerely regret having to close Bishop Connolly, our ultimate goal is to strengthen Catholic education in the Diocese for the future,” said Daniel S. Roy, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Fall River. “We are committed to helping families transition to other Diocesan Catholic high schools and to make the process as seamless as possible.” “We continue to experience very challenging times that have put an even greater financial strain on many families,” stated Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V., of the Diocese of Fall River. “So many people have extraordinary needs amidst this economic uncertainty, and the Diocese needs to leverage its precious resources to an even greater extent. We are confident that our Catholic school leadership will provide both pastoral support and educational guidance to all affected families so that their children can transition and be welcomed into a new Catholic school family.” Parent Zoom meetings with the school leadership have been scheduled to address the following: Admissions to other Diocesan high schools Tuition and financial aid Transportation Additional family questions For over a century, Catholic schools have educated thousands of children in the Diocese of Fall River. Today, there are over 5,300 students from six weeks old through 12th grade in 19 Catholic schools from Attleboro to Cape Cod. Catholic education continues to be recognized for its rigorous academic education, while providing the moral and faith formation according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. For more information about the Catholic Schools Alliance, please go to www.catholicschoolsalliance.org. About the Catholic Schools Alliance The Catholic Schools Alliance comprises administrators, teachers, staff, parents and clergy joined in partnership to educate the children of the Diocese of Fall River in Catholic faith and values. Our schools have a demanding educational culture that helps students from across the academic spectrum reach their God-given potential. With an emphasis on service and respect for the dignity of every person, we prepare students to meet the challenges of today’s diverse world and become meaningful contributors to society. The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D. The Bishop of Fall River Categories In the News Press Releases and Statements Messages from The Bishop Bishop's Blog Success Stories Photo Gallery Videos Related Posts In the News 15 Apr 2020 Diocese Announces Closure of Two Catholic Schools FALL RIVER, MA – The Diocese of Fall River announced today that the financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis requires it to close two Catholic schools at the end of … Read More In the News 3 Mar 2021 Bishop Connolly Teacher Leads Catholic Elementary School Students in Robotics and Science Challenges FALL RIVER – Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, middle school students across the state would participate in the FIRST® LEGO® League robotics challenges around this time of year. Social distancing … Read More In the News 14 Apr 2022 Catholic Schools Office Announces New President for Bishop Stang High School NORTH DARTMOUTH – Since opening its doors in 1959 as the first coeducational Catholic secondary school in the Fall River Diocese, Bishop Stang High School has stayed true to teaching … Read More