After several months of fundraising in an effort to avoid its closure, supporters soon will learn the fate of River Grove-based St. Cyprian Catholic school.
Part of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Renew My Church program seeks to examine whether Catholic schools in the area are seen as viable entities based on revenue and enrollment. This review of schools and churches would determine whether they would remain open, merge with others or close.
St. Cyprian School hoped to raise $500,000 and to increase enrollment so it could be seen as a thriving school. The school is at 2561 Clinton St., River Grove.
St. Cyprian School Principal Joe Quinlan expects to learn the final decision regarding the school on Jan. 17. He said the school has raised $78,000. Also, the school has 99 students enrolled. There must be 128 students enrolled to reach its benchmark.
“I think the biggest factor is that the revenue generated by our low enrollment numbers cannot cover the expenses of running the school,” Quinlan said. “While St. Cyprian has always been a small school, expenses continue to rise each year.”
Anne Maselli, the director of communications and marketing for the Archdiocese of Chicago, stated in an email that no decision regarding St. Cyprian Catholic School has been made yet. She said she would have further information regarding St. Cyprian and all of the schools and parishes in the Elmwood Park grouping of Renew My Church by Jan. 17 or Jan. 18. According to information posted on the archdiocese’s website, other churches in the Elmwood Park grouping are St. Celestine in Elmwood Park and St. William in Chicago.
Quinlan said St. Cyprian held benefit nights at local restaurants such as Bakers Square, Chick-fil-A and Fizz Eatery and Soda Fountain. The Knights of Columbus held a fundraiser at The Great Escape in Schiller Park, and Da Luciano held monthly fundraisers. River Grove Mayor David Guerin hosted a trivia night at Underpass Restaurant & Lounge.
“Unfortunately, these efforts have not provided the type of relief we were hoping for,” Quinlan said.
Jose Martinez, president of the school board and a St. Cyprian parent, said he would feel discouraged if St. Cyprian School closes.
“I have a daughter in seventh grade, and next year she’ll be in eighth grade,” he said. “It’s going to be tough for her to go to a new school and make new friends. It’s devastating.”
He said he’s grateful for those who contributed and gave donations.
“If the school closes, the money [raised] will go back to the donators,” he said. “Those who made donations will be fully refunded.”
If St. Cyprian does close, Martinez is thinking of sending his daughters to St. John Vianney Catholic School, St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Elementary School or St. Luke Parish School. But, he said he’s not giving up hope on St. Cyprian School.
“I’m in no position to give up,” he said. “We’ll fight to the very end.”
Maryann Pisano is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
