ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A century-old catholic school is set to close, despite an appeal by parents and parishioners.
St. Monica Catholic School in Creve Coeur is the latest school to close.
Saturday was a festive but somber farewell for parents, students, parishioners and community members. It marked almost one month since the Archdiocese of St. Louis announced that it would close the school at the end of this year.
For Angela Rickelmann, a parent who has two students at St. Monica, the initial news was "shocking."
"Then, once that shock sort of set in, it was just sadness," Rickelmann said.
After providing Catholic education in St. Louis County for more than 100 years, St. Monica is closing its doors. The Archdiocese cited declining enrollment as one of the biggest reasons behind the decision in its initial April 19 letter to families.
The Archdiocese said 120 students were expected for next year— with only three students for one of the grades.
At the May 19 end-of-year celebration, school board president Christopher Miller discussed the letter of appeal with over 100 signatures from parents, parishioners and alumni asking the archdiocese to reconsider closing the school.
"We've asked the Archbishop, and I've had my emails blocked," Miller said. "I've had my phone number being blocked at the diocese. So I've also sent and had a secondary individual send on my behalf."
St. Monica School doesn't usually have an end-of-year celebration with food trucks, obstacle courses and outdoor games. Then again, the PTO doesn't usually have extra funds to spend, and it looks like their students won't be here this fall.
Graduating 8th grader Sophia Lucchesi and her mom Rickelmann spoke to 5 On Your Side at Saturday's event.
"When I heard the news, I was completely devastated because I've been here since kindergarten, and to find out your entire elementary school and middle school is closing is hard to believe," Lucchesi said.
"To see it closed abruptly like it did, we don't deserve it," Rickelmann said. "It's the wrong decision. Everyone is a little frustrated and angry with that and sad as well. We're not going to go out quietly, but we're trying to keep the community together as much as possible."
Lucchesi said she's going to a Catholic high school in Webster Groves this fall. However, Miller said he's sending his three kids to public school.
"Personally, I don't want to give another dollar to the diocese," Miller said.
St. Monica is the third parish elementary school closing after this school year.
Families raised $500,000 around the same time of the Archdiocese's closure announcement.
We've reached out to the Archdiocese for comments about Saturday's farewell but haven't heard back yet.