Parents, students fighting to keep Vincentian Academy open

McCANDLESS, Pa. — Parents and students are fighting to keep Vincentian Academy in McCandless open.

It was announced in late February the Catholic school, which is run by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, will shut down at the end of this school year. Reasons given for the closure include lack of financial resources and declining enrollment.

On Monday, the Vincentian Academy Parent Association weighed in on the closure, sending a letter asking the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth to keep the school open until at least the incoming freshman class graduates.

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The letter brings up another school, Presentation Academy in Kentucky, that was in a similar situation in the 1990s. It was saved by a grassroots effort and is still open today.

“The damage isn’t done. You’ve traumatized the children. But we’re willing to get past that and just say, ‘OK maybe it wasn’t handled the best way but for the sake of the children let’s come together,’” Vincentian Academy Parent Association president Amy Nassif said.

A meeting will be held Wednesday night in Vincentian Academy’s cafeteria by the parent association, which said it will separate fact from rumor and share a detailed plan of what lies ahead.

A spokesperson with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth released the following statement Tuesday afternoon:

"Last night, Monday, March 2, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth held a parent meeting. We offered further information for moving forward as Vincentian Academy closes. We outlined reasons for the decision. Due to declining enrollment we do not have the financial resources to operate beyond June 30th. Over the past five years, enrollment has declined by over 100 students.

We hear the pain. We hear the pain from parents and students around Vincentian Academy closing and the closing of other Catholic schools in Pittsburgh. We hear the sadness. Our Sisters are sad, many of whom attended the school which began as a school for women aspiring to religious life. Many Sisters also taught there. This is not an easy decision. Our hearts are breaking and we are praying for everyone involved."

Vincentian Academy to shut down at end of current school year Vincentian Academy to shut down at end of current school year

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