Reason for School Closure: 

Our Lady of Refuge School is closing due to the ongoing School Viability  Study by the Superintendent of Schools Office in the Archdiocese of  New York. After reflection, analysis, and prayer, it was determined that keeping the school open is unsustainable due to significant challenges. 

Closure Timeline: 

The school will remain open through the 2024-25 academic year. It will officially close at the end of the school year. 

Student Transfers: 

• Every student will have the opportunity to transfer to another Catholic school within the Archdiocese of New York.

• Enrollment Directors will assist families in finding the proper placement and provide tuition and financial assistance details.

• More information is available at www.catholicschoolsny.org/school announcements. 

Future of School Buildings: 

There are no plans for these buildings to be converted into other educational institutions. 

Finding a New School: 

• Enrollment Directors will work closely with each family to identify a suitable Catholic school.

• Families will receive personalized guidance throughout the transition process.

Transition Support

• Support is available, including personalized assistance from Enrollment  Directors.

• Additional resources can be found at www.catholicschoolsny.org/school-announcements. 

Future of Teachers and Staff: 

• Efforts are being made to help teachers and staff find positions at other  Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of New York.

• Updates will be shared as more information becomes available. Tuition at the New School:

• Tuition rates and financial assistance options will be provided as  families explore new school placements. 

Additional Information & Contacts: 

• Families can contact their Enrollment Director for personalized support. • Contact details are available at www.catholicschoolsny.org/school-announcements.

• Further questions can be directed to the school principal or the  Superintendent’s Office at [email protected].

Information and Frequently Asked Questions for  Families of Our Lady of Refuge School 

Information is available at www.catholicschoolsny.org/school-announcements Our Lady of Refuge School in the Bronx will not reopen for the 2025-26 school year. 

What to Do Now 

1. Contact our Director of Enrollment for Our Lady of Refuge School. 

Ms. Leslie Guerrero and her colleagues will work to help you and your child(ren)  transition to another Catholic school for the 2025-2026 school year. 

You can reach Ms. Guerrero or arrange a convenient time for a phone call or in person appointment by emailing her at: [email protected], or by calling  our bilingual parent helpline at (646) 794-2885 between 9:00 and 5:00 pm  Monday-Friday. 

2. Learn more about the alternative schools you are considering: 

Click here to find alternative Catholic schools in the Bronx. 

Contact your Director of Enrollment, who will help you review alternative schools  and help you select the one that best fits your needs. 

Ms. Guerrero will also help arrange a call or virtual tour with the Principal of any  school(s) you may be considering, to ensure that you have all the necessary  information to make an informed choice for your family. 

• Check this page often for new or updated information. 

3. Apply to the school where you want to send your children. 

Once you have selected a school, simply visit https://admissions.catholicschoolsny.org to submit your application. You  will be required to set up a new FACTS login for the school to which you wish to apply. 

We are committed to ensuring that your child can continue receiving a quality  Catholic education. Your Director of Enrollment will assist you in this transition  and help identify an appropriate school for your child to enroll in for the 2025- 2026 school year. We will work with you to ensure your child has a seat at  another Catholic school.

Families are required to submit a new application and register at the new school  for the 2025-2026 school year to hold a seat for their child(ren) at the new  school. Families who enroll at a participating school before April 15, 2025 will  save $100/student in registration fees. In addition, they will receive a credit to  reimburse them for the entire registration fee in their November 2025 tuition  invoice at their participating school. 

The Archdiocese of New York is committed to making every effort to minimize the  financial impact to your family as a result of this transfer. 

All Our Lady of Refuge School families – including those not previously receiving  assistance – will have a chance to apply for financial assistance as part of their  application to a new participating school. 

If your child(ren) is receiving financial assistance for the 2024-2025 school year,  you are assured of receiving an award for 2025-2026 at the new participating  Regional school once you complete your application.

1. Why will my school not be reopening? 

We understand that this is upsetting news, and that you may feel there could have been  something more you or your school community might have done. As part of the recently  conducted School Viability Study (SVS), careful deliberation, research, and analysis went  into the final determination of which schools would not reopen. Unfortunately, the  demographics and lower enrollment have significantly impacted the ability for these  schools to continue operation.

2. Will I have to re-apply to the new school? 

Families whose schools are not reopening are required to submit a new application and  register at a different Catholic school for the 2025-2026 school year to hold a seat for their  child(ren) at the new school. Once you have selected a school, simply  visit https://admissions.catholicschoolsny.org and submit your application.

3. If my school is closing, will I have to register at the new school? 

Yes. In order to complete enrollment at your new school, you will have to register your  child(ren) and pay the applicable registration fee. If you register at a participating school  before April 15, 2025, you will save $100/student in registration fees. In addition, you will  receive a credit to reimburse you for the entire registration fee in your November, 2025  tuition invoice at participating schools.

4. Will my tuition costs go up if the new school’s tuition is higher than at my current  school? 

The Archdiocese of New York is committed to making every effort to minimize the financial  impact to your family as a result of this transfer. 

All families – including those not previously receiving assistance – will have a chance to  apply for financial assistance as part of their application to a new participating school.

5. Who do I turn to for help? 

Your Regional Director of Enrollment will help you and your child(ren) transition to another  Catholic school for the 2025-2026 school year. You can reach your Regional Director of  Enrollment at the email address indicated above for your school, or by calling our bilingual  parent helpline at (646) 794-2885 between 9:00 and 5:00 pm Monday-Friday.

6. How do I learn more about other nearby schools that would meet my child’s needs? 

You can contact your Regional Director of Enrollment at the email address indicated above for our school, or call our bilingual parent helpline at (646) 794-2885 between 9:00 and  5:00 pm Monday-Friday, to arrange a convenient time for a phone call, or to book a tour of  any alternate schools you may be considering.

In addition, click here to view a full list of schools for any zip code you enter on our School  Finder page.