St. Joseph School closing at the end of this academic year
The Catholic school in Medford has been in operation for almost a century.
What follows is the letter the Pastor, Father Hynes, sent to parents (and which is also posted to the school's website):
Dear SJS Community,
I write to you to regarding news that involves the future of St. Joseph School.
Following a careful review of enrollment trends and a very challenging financial burden for the school and parish, we have determined that St. Joseph School will conclude its mission this June at the end of the current academic year. Given what we know today and despite the very best efforts of so many who care about St. Joseph’s School, we will not be able to open in the Fall for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Having consulted with the Catholic Schools Office for the Archdiocese of Boston (CSO), many factors were weighed and considered before making this decision. Enrollment has been steadily declining and today stands at 169 students in grades PreK to 8. This is down from 222 for SY21-22. Costs to educate students and maintain the building are increasing at rates that simply cannot be passed on to families
With support from the CSO, we are working with area parish schools to welcome families, faculty, and staff for the 2026/2027 school year. Our goal is to provide you options to continue Catholic education for your children and to work towards as smooth a transition as is possible for our students. In addition, tuition assistance offered by the Catholic Schools Foundation (CSF) will follow families who enroll their children in other CSO sponsored or supported schools.
Additionally, Catholic schools that have open employment positions for the next academic year will also be asked to provide interview priority to the St. Joseph’s faculty and staff affected by the closing. The Catholic Schools Office will offer support to teachers in producing resumes and preparing for interviews.
For more than 97 years St. Joseph School has been a bedrock in our community. Our students graduate as models of our faith as well as responsible and accomplished members of society. To say this is a heart wrenching decision is an understatement.
Despite this news, as people of faith, we put our trust in God to show us the way. We will honor the long ministry of St. Joseph School. We are so proud of the generations of students, teachers and staff who have contributed to building a community committed to academic excellence and being great examples of people of faith. Please be assured of my prayers during this transition.
In the Heart of Jesus,
-Fr Hynes
