Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Evergreen Park will not reopen next school year due to declining enrollment, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced Monday. The school’s enrollment has fallen from 325 students in 2016 to 178 students this past school year, with projected enrollment for next year at about 140 students.

Background

The decision to close the school came after a scandal involving a substitute teacher with a history of child molestation charges and allegations. The teacher, Brett Smith, was fired by the Archdiocese last school year after working at local Catholic schools for 16 months. A lawsuit filed in January alleges that Smith groomed and inappropriately touched a Queen of Martyrs student.

The school’s administration acknowledged the decision, saying on Facebook that it is with great sadness that the school will be closing. The archdiocese will work to support families as they consider other school options for the fall.

Declining enrollment has plagued Catholic schools across the area, leading to numerous school closures or consolidations. The Queen of Martyrs school opened in 1953 and was combined with St. Bernadette Parish to form St. Gianna Parish in 2022 as part of the archdiocese’s wider parish consolidation effort.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.