St. Patrick School to Close at End of Academic Year

St. Patrick Catholic School in Springfield will close at the end of the current academic year, bringing more than a century of Catholic education at the school to an end.

Officials with the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and school leadership announced that the school will cease operations following the 2025–2026 school year. The decision follows a review of enrollment trends and financial considerations that leaders said made it difficult for the school to continue operating in a sustainable way.

St. Patrick Catholic School was founded in 1910 and has served generations of Springfield families through its elementary education program rooted in Catholic teaching. For more than a century, the school has been part of the broader Catholic education network in the community.

School officials said the decision to close was not made lightly and followed discussions about the long-term outlook for the school. Declining enrollment and ongoing financial pressures were cited as key factors in the determination that the school would close.

Students currently enrolled at St. Patrick Catholic School will finish the academic year before the school closes. Families will be provided information about options for continuing Catholic education at other schools in the Springfield area.

Administrators said the focus during the remainder of the school year will be supporting students, families, faculty, and staff as they prepare for the transition while recognizing the school’s long history in the Springfield community.