UES Private School Set To Close In Coming Year, Officials Say

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — As students settle into the new school year, a beloved all-girls Catholic school on the Upper East Side shocked the community by announcing it will close after next year.

The Board of Trustees of Cathedral High School, in partnership with the Archdiocese of New York, has announced that the all-girls Catholic school at 116 East 97th Street—between Park and Lexington Avenues—will permanently close at the end of the 2025–2026 academic year.

The decision follows a comprehensive financial review and months of consultation with educational and financial experts, the board said in a statement.

“Taken together, these realities create a structural and financial imbalance that cannot be corrected without compromising Cathedral’s mission or the quality of education we provide,” the board added. “We are profoundly aware of the emotional weight this carries for students, families, faculty, staff, alumnae, and all those who love Cathedral.”

School leaders cited steep enrollment declines, rising operational costs, and limited fundraising capacity as key reasons for the closure. Since the 2023–2024 academic year, enrollment has fallen by nearly 50 percent, while mounting expenses have put growing pressure on the school’s budget.

The school board stated that supporting students and families will remain a top priority in the months ahead. Guidance counselors and transition resources will be made available to assist students in finding placements at other schools ahead of the 2026–2027 academic year.

In a statement addressing the closure, Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York, sought to reassure the school community. She emphasized that every student currently enrolled at Cathedral High School who wishes to continue her Catholic education will be guaranteed a place at another Catholic high school within the Archdiocese.

“Families should know they are not alone during this time,” Walsh said. “Every young woman who desires a Catholic education will find a place in our schools. There is always room for her."

Founded in 1905 by the Sisters of Charity, Cathedral High School has served generations of young women in New York City with a Catholic education rooted in academic excellence, faith and service, officials said.

In 2022, the school launched a fundraising initiative known as the Flourish Campaign in an effort to secure its financial future. Despite those efforts, the Board ultimately determined that long-term sustainability could not be achieved.

Throughout its 120-year history, Cathedral has remained committed to academic rigor, spiritual development, and community service. Under the leadership of current Principal Jessica Aybar, the school has made notable academic gains in subjects such as Global Studies, U.S. History & Government, Chemistry and Algebra II, while deepening its focus on Catholic values.

“Though this chapter is coming to a close, the legacy of Cathedral High School—the values we’ve instilled, the lives we’ve shaped, and the community we’ve built—will live on,” the board said.