By Stephen Hemelt
L’Observateur

RESERVE — Our Lady of Grace started this school year with 179 students.

For a school that serves grades prekindergarten through eighth, it proved too few, leading to a decision announced Wednesday that the Reserve educational institution would close in the spring.

School officials didn’t present a completely dire scenario, stressing to parents the school would stay fully staffed through the current academic year. The school will also continue in a limited role during the 2015-16 school year and beyond, operating as an early childhood development program for 2- through 4-year-olds with an emphasis on Catholic education, Father Christopher Amadi said.

“That means a lot,” he said. “It gives hope.”

Amadi, who has led the school and church parish for three years, said when Our Lady of Grace closes in the spring, it will bring to an end 83 years of school service and provide an uncertain future for the school’s approximate staff of 23 and the student body.

“For the parents, it’s natural everyone was surprised, asking ‘what are we going to do?’” Amadi said. “By the grace of God, we will work with parents and faculty during this time of transition. Thanks be to God, the school will be fully staffed for the rest of this school year and stay open until the end of the academic year.”

Outside of confirming the enrollment when this school year began, Principal Precious Joseph would not comment on the school closure, referring all questions to Amadi.

Dr. Jan Daniel Lancaster, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, delivered the closure news to teachers Wednesday, saying the closure decision was not easily reached.

Our Lady of Grace joined two other schools — Holy Ghost School in New Orleans and St. Agnes School in Jefferson Parish — in closure announcements made by the Archdiocese this week.

“We’re working very closely with other Catholic schools, as well as the state Department of Education, because we have several students that are on the state scholarship for excellence, to ensure the very best (for their futures,)” Lancaster said.

“We want people to feel the church is a resource to find the best place for their child. We will assist them in finding the very best to serve their families.”

Lancaster said once a school drops below 200 students in total enrollment, the Archdiocese asks local leadership to examine the school’s long-term viability.

Lancaster said Amadi was asked:

• Do you have the resources to pay the teachers what they should be paid?

• Do you have the resources to maintain the buildings?

• Do you have the resources to continue to offer the very best in academic excellence?

Amadi said Our Lady of Grace has been dealing with declining enrollment for years, adding a lack of students not on scholarship left a small base of tuition-paying families. 

“It got to the point, due to declining enrollment, the (closure) decision had to be made,” Amadi said. “Our low enrollment was right before us, so everybody understood. It is really very emotional, and I ask that you put us in your prayers.”