Thanks to Bob Natt for sending this along.  It seems that FRHS is not the only school closing its doors.

October 23, 2009

It is with great sadness that I write to you today. I know that many, many of you are aware of what is happening at Stella Maris. However, I wanted to write to you myself.

On Monday October 19, 2009, it was announced to the faculty and parents of Stella Maris High School by the Member Board of the Sisters of St. Joseph that in June, after 66 years Stella Maris High School will be closing its doors to the young women of Brooklyn and Queens. For a number of years, we have unsuccessfully battled the enrollment issue that is the foundation of all that we do. Our present Freshmen class is 48 and our Sophomore class is 51. We have a total enrollment of 254. Faculty, curriculum, special programs, athletic programs and technology are all dependent on enrollment. Low enrollment has forced us to have to evaluate the sustainability of our school.

Stella Maris is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Brentwood, New York. We have always had the support of the Sisters of St. Joseph. They have encouraged all of our new programs, projects, attempts to increase enrollment and raise funds. For the past several years, it is only from their financial support that we have managed to remain open.

The decision to close is heartbreaking. I truly believe that the closing of Stella Maris H.S. is a great loss to education and to young women. We have provided students of all academic levels a very fine education, while at the same time providing an atmosphere of deep concern and caring for each of their lives. We are very sad to see that end but we know that all the present students of Stella Maris, parents and graduates will forever hold dear their fond memories of friends and family at Stella Maris.

I thank all the alumnae who have generously supported our yearly Alumnae Appeal, Christmas Raffle, Adopt-A-Student, Name-A-Chair and all our requests for financial support. Your generosity has allowed us to offer scholarships, make needed repairs, and improve our technology and more. Many, many thanks to each of you.

Please keep all of us in your prayers.

Sincerely,

Miss G. Martinez

Principal

 

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