Immaculate Heart Of Mary School In Lafayette Closes

The Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Lafayette announced that it will close immediately. A number of reasons were given for the decision.

In a statement made from the IMH Church Parish and the Diocese of Lafayette, the school will remain closed.

"The school does not have adequate resources to sustain its operations despite being subsidized by the Diocese and the Parish," the statement reads. "Though the decision is very painful, available facts and numbers call everyone to be prudent and focus on the best interests of our children."

Current students will be given "special consideration" by pastors and principals of neighboring schools. The Office of Catholic Schools will help in finding work for teachers and staff in other Catholic institutions.

Town hall meetings have been held since January to discuss the challenges that the school was facing. Fr. Sebastian Myladiyil repeatedly said that 60 new students were needed for the 2016-17 school year, as well as other funds to cover an estimated $200,000 deficit.

Low test scores were also plaguing the school.

"Immaculate Heart of Mary School at this time falls short of the essential elements necessary for a healthy Catholic school: strong Catholic identity, academic excellence and financial viability."

The released statement also expressed gratitude to those who have helped and been a part of the school.

"At this moment in history we must express gratitude to all who have been a part of Immaculate Heart of Mary School for the past 80+ years, particularly the Divine Word Missionaries, Holy Family Sisters, and all the lay people who have given of themselves," the statement reads. "The value of their work has been written with the indelible ink of God's grace."

If you're considering another school for your child to attend:

Gethsemane Christian Academy, located at 701 E Pinhook Road in Lafayette, will be accepting application for students who are interested in transferring from Immaculate Heart of Mary. The school accepts the state scholarship program, A Scholarships, and Nonpublic School Early Childhood Development (NSECD) program scholarships. For more information contact (337) 233-2750 ext 4.