Students, teachers and families crowded into Saint John Paul the Second Regional Catholic School in northeast Minneapolis on Thursday for what felt very much like a farewell. The end-of-year ceremony unfolded with tight hugs, long goodbyes and small celebrations as students carried banners and yearbooks through the halls. Local television described it as the building's final day of classes, a moment that left many in the community wondering if this really was the end. If the closure is permanent, neighborhood families will have fewer nearby Catholic K-8 options when school starts next fall.
Local report and reaction
According to KARE11, the school marked what the station called its "last day of classes ever." Station footage showed students and staff taking part in final classroom activities and a goodbye procession through the campus. The television piece framed the day as an end-of-an-era moment for the neighborhood school. Community members in the segment reflected on the school's role in the area and what its loss could mean for families nearby.
School website shows enrollment still open
The school's own website tells a different story. It still lists June 5 as the K-8 last day and actively advertises enrollment for the 2026-27 school year. According to St. John Paul II Catholic School, the campus posts a calendar of end-of-year events along with an enrollment link for future students. That online notice conflicts with the local TV account and leaves the school's true status unclear for families and staff trying to plan ahead.
Why this matters
Catholic education in the United States has been through a long-term contraction, with many schools closing over the past several decades. Recent data, however, suggest enrollment has stabilized and that fewer schools have closed in the last two years. As reported by Catholic News Agency, figures from the National Catholic Educational Association showed steady enrollment for the 2023-24 school year and a reduced number of closures compared with earlier periods. Even with those broader trends, local enrollment, finances and parish support usually decide whether an individual campus can stay open.
Resources for families
For families trying to sort through the mixed signals, the archdiocese's Catholic schools resources are a key starting point. The Office for the Mission of Catholic Education maintains directories and guidance on the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Catholic Schools site, including a find-a-school tool. Parents and guardians can also contact the school directly for confirmation about re-enrollment, staffing plans and what Thursday's "last day" might really mean for the fall.
What happens next
At the time of publication, there was no consolidated statement that reconciled the television report with the school's own online notices. That silence leaves families and staff in a holding pattern, stuck between a televised goodbye and a website that looks ahead to future school years. We will continue to follow developments and update this report when school or archdiocesan leaders provide clarity. For now, the June events at the campus stand as an emotional capstone to another school year in northeast Minneapolis, whether they prove to be a pause or a full stop.
