MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Friday, May 24, 2024, will be the last day for classes, ever, at Immaculate Conception Cathedral School in Midtown Memphis.
The Catholic Diocese of Memphis made the announcement in April, citing a “lack of financial stability” and “struggle with enrollment” as factors in the decision to close.
The school serves students from preschool through eighth grade.
“We had hoped that our collaboration, promotion, and recruitment efforts for the school, combined with the availability of Tennessee’s Educational Savings Accounts program, would enable our enrollment to grow,” said Kadesha Gordon, Principal, Immaculate Conception Cathedral School. “However, it became increasingly clear that our hopes were not sustainable. And, despite everyone’s hard work, the expense of maintaining a school is far beyond what the parish and community were able to support.”
Father Robert Szczechura, Pastor, The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, said, “Our focus now is to provide our students and parents information about other Catholic Schools in the area. We will do all we can to help place our students in a safe, nurturing, and supportive educational environment of another Catholic School.”
The diocese said meetings will be offered to discuss the future for each student and for faculty members.