Wappingers Falls Elementary School to Close at the End of the Year

Wappingers Falls, N.Y. — Dutchess County families were left heartbroken after St. Mary’s Elementary School in Wappingers Falls announced it will cease operations at the end of the school year. The school, which has been open for more than 125 years, will be one of seven New York Catholic elementary schools closing its doors in June.

In a statement released on Feb. 4, the archdiocese of New York said despite its “best efforts to maintain the operational and financial viability of these schools, continuing to educate students in buildings that are underutilized and/or in need of significant improvements has proven unfeasible.”

The announcement came as a devastating shock to many parents. Jemile Hopsin, a St. Mary’s mom whose daughter just started at the school, said she was very saddened by the news.

“I felt really sad because my daughter is in Pre-K and she just started at the school,” Hopsin said. “I was shocked and from what I saw, everyone was shocked including the staff here.”

Hopsin has two older children who have been through the Catholic school system and said she empathizes with parents of kids who have been in the school for a long time.

Amy Green, another St. Mary’s mom, shared a similar sentiment to Hopsin. “I was shocked and disappointed, and I thought that they could have given us a little more notice,” she said.

Families of the school are now looking ahead at options for next school year. In the same Feb. 4 statement, Archdiocese Superintendent of Schools Timothy McNiff said, “We understand these are challenging times for many families, and we will work with all students who are seeking to continue their Catholic education to find a seat at another excellent school in the Archdiocese.” McNiff announced in December that he will be retiring in April.

The archdiocese said that every St. Mary’s student will be guaranteed a seat in another nearby Catholic school. However, families will still have to submit a new application and register at their new school for the 2019–2020 year. Applications for financial aid and scholarships will be available for the upcoming academic year. Some of the possible alternative schools for St. Mary’s students include Holy Trinity Elementary School, St. Denis-St. Columbia School, St. Peter’s School and St. Mary Elementary School in Fishkill. Each of these schools will be hosting a number of open houses and tours for parents.

For parents like Hopsin who have children in preschool, there are not many alternative options in the area. However, Hopsin said she has advocated for other schools to open a preschool and that the idea is now being taken very seriously.

“While we sincerely regret ever having to close any schools, the goal is to strengthen the remaining institutions and preserve Catholic education in New York for years to come,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York in the Feb. 4 statement from the Archdiocese of New York.

More information on the tours and on applying to any of the other New York Catholic schools can be found on the New York Catholic schools website.