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MAY 19, 2019, BROOKLYN WEEKLY
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School’s out
All-girls school in Bensonhurst
will close its doors in August
NO MORE: Bishop Kearney High School, which has been educating teenage girls in Kings County since
1961, will permanently close in August. Google Maps
BY AIDAN GRAHAM
Bensonhurst’s Bishop Kearney High
School will close its doors for good on
Aug. 31, according to the head of the allgirls
school’s parent organization, who
cited several factors in the “painful” decision.
“Over the last few years, declining
enrollment, changing demographics, reduced
income and increased expenses
have required cuts to faculty and services,”
said Sister Helen Kearney, president
of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
The Roman Catholic school, located at
2202 60th St., has been educating teenage
girls in Kings County since 1961, according
to the school’s website.
While the 2019 class will graduate as
planned, school reps have assigned coordinators
for each lower grade to assist
with transferring students to other educational
institutions for the upcoming academic
year.
Before the decision to close was made,
the Board of Trustees had approved
the 2019–2020 academic year tuition of
$10,825. The school, which claimed a 100
percent graduation and college attendance
rate, had projected to welcome 227
incoming freshman next year, according
to its website.
Grief-stricken alumni took to social
media on Tuesday to express their sorrow
at the closing of the beloved institution.
“So sad, it was a great school that
launched successful and good women,”
said Tina Ombrellino. “I’m happy to have
spent my high school years there.”
One graduate of Bishop Kearney’s 1989
class, who called the announcement “absolutely
heartbreaking,” used the occasion
to refl ect on the sense of community
she felt at the school.
“Those 4 years at Kearney were the
best. So many people, who were not a part
of the kind of sisterhood we had at Kearney,
look back at high school and are thankful
it’s over. Me? I would do it over in a heartbeat,”
wrote Nanine DeLuca. “So thankful
for my time spent at Kearney.”
One 1984 graduate spoke of how the
school affected her future, and mourned
what the school’s current students will
lose after Monday’s announcement.
“Those 4 years with the Sisters of
Saint Joseph gave me the courage and optimistic
attitude to continue on to University
and Graduate School,” said Rosina
Mason. “I am crying right now at what
our future girls will miss out on. I pray
that all the girls fi nd good, clean, and safe
schools to fi nish out your academic years.
God bless all the nuns and teachers who
devoted their time and lives to our girls.”
Once the school offi cially shutters
in August, the Diocese of Brooklyn will
make a determination about the future of
the building, according to Bishop Kearney’s
website.
/KINGSTHEATRE.COM