Meriden's Final Remaining Catholic School To Shut Down

MERIDEN, CT — Meriden's last remaining Catholic school, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School (OLMC), will close at the end of the school year. WFSB reported that the school's enrollment numbers have been dropping, standing at 161 currently, which down 23 percent from last year and a decline of 19 percent over the past three years.

Rev. Thomas A. Sievel & Dr. Michael J. Frechette posted the following on Facebook: "To the Family Members of OLMC: It is with deep sadness that we regret to inform you that OLMC will be closing at the end of the 2019-2020 School Year. The School Board is in agreement with this decision as are the Parish Trustees and Parish Finance Council. This is not an easy decision since OLMC has been offering area students an outstanding education for over 75 years and is the last of seven Catholic schools in Meriden. Low enrollment projections make it financially impossible to support the continuation of this distinguished legacy. Unfortunately, the recruitment prospects have been adversely affected by some negative public relations that has spread throughout the community for some time.

"We are exploring numerous avenues to support our students, parents, faculty, and staff. OLMC has been blessed by dedicated families like yours, and we will continue to keep you in our prayers throughout this period of transition."

Located at 115 Lewis Ave., the school serves children in pre-K through eighth grade, according to the school's website. The school got its start in 1947, after Rev. Walter Lyddy purchased the Nathan Hale School from the city in 1944.