The Los Angeles educational landscape faces a shake-up with the planned closure of two Catholic schools due to declining student numbers. St. Agnes and St. Teresa of Avila, two long-standing institutions in the community, have seen a drastic drop in enrollment, prompting the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to shut their doors.
According to an ABC7 report, St. Agnes has suffered a 73.5 % decrease in students, leaving just 60 pupils roaming its halls. Meanwhile, St. Teresa of Avila saw a 67.5% enrollment nosedive number now standing at only 37 kids, despite attempts by the community to rally and salvage what has been a cornerstone of their educational and social fabric, they've launched a GoFundMe and even taking to the streets with flyers, seeking donations to keep the academic legacy alive.
The decline has been attributed to varied factors including demographic changes and economic pressures on families, according to an email from the Archdiocese obtained by KTLA. The two schools are located within 5 miles of each other, with St. Agnes nestled in the Adams-Normandie neighborhood and St. Teresa of Avila in Silver Lake, neighborhoods impacted by these shifting realities.
"We're trying to raise funds for the school," Britney Dominguez, a St. Agnes alumnus, told ABC7, emphasizing the school's financial hurdles, "The school is in debt with $200,000 and we are trying to raise at least $500,000 just to help maintain the school as well," her statement highlighted the community's determination to fight for their educational home. While the Archdiocese has pledged to assist in relocating students and staff, the closures mark the end of an era for these communities.
For parents like Elvia Perez, a former student and a parent of a current student at St. Agnes, the fight is deeply personal. "I strongly believe that we don't need to be displaced, this is our home," she said in an ABC7 interview, reflecting the sentiment of many who see the schools as more than just buildings but as vital threads in their neighborhood's tapestry. With the final school bell set to ring, the spirit of the community showcases an unyielding resolve to persevere.
