St. Joseph School In Mendham Closing At End Of Year

MENDHAM, NJ — St. Joseph School in Mendham will close for good at the end of the current school year, a Diocese spokesperson confirmed.

Parents were informed of the decision in a letter sent home on Friday, March 29. The letter was signed by the church's pastor, Msgr. Joseph Anginoli, and principal Lori Arends.

Declining enrollment was the driving force behind the closure; just 75 students in grades kindergarten through eight were expected to enroll for the 2019-2020 school year. Tuition for next year was set at $6,580 plus fees for parish families with one child, or $7,505 plus fees for families who were not members of the parish.

"Changing demographics and economic challenges have impacted enrollment in area schools, public and private, and St. Joseph School has not been immune. The tremendous efforts on the part of our parents, alumni, parish, and school to mitigate these challenges are evidence of the limitless love and commitment to our school and to Catholic education," the letter said.

St. Joseph was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by U.S. Department of Education in 2012, and was recognized as a "Star School" by the Diocese of Paterson school office.

"This is an exceedingly emotional and difficult time for us all. Just as we have come together to face our enrollment challenges, let us now come together in honor and celebration of our school's rich history and in honor of the faith community that we share. May this time be one that we use to thank our parents, students, faculty, parish, and alumni. It is through their constant and unwavering dedication that St. Joseph School has the rich history that we now honor. As we prepare our students for their next opportunities, we stand ready to help them continue in Catholic education," the letter said.

Officials did not say if they will help transition students to other Catholic schools in the area.

This is the second year in a row a Catholic school has shuttered in Morris County. St. Pius X School in Montville closed its doors at the end of the 2018-2018 school year, also citing declining enrollment.