June 12, 2024

For 40 years, Trinity Catholic School has shared a quality education and the love of Christ in our local Catholic parishes and in the greater Massena community. The motivation for establishing and sustaining Trinity Catholic School has been, according to the school’s mission statement, “to provide a Christ-centered academic environment that nurtures educational excellence and the spiritual growth of all of our students.”

In addition to educating our youth and sharing our Catholic faith, the school has served as a source of community, bringing together students, their families, alumni, volunteers, benefactors, members of our parish and members of the communities the school serves.

At the end of May, the confirmed enrollment for grades kindergarten through six for the 2024-25 academic year was 45 students. Last fall, at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, enrollment in those grade levels was 78. The year prior, the 2022-23 school year, the school’s enrollment was 106. In just over one year, enrollment has decreased by over 60 students.

Painful and disappointing though it may be, we must acknowledge that the loss of over half the student population has made operating the school as it currently exists unsustainable. Therefore, Trinity Catholic School will not open for the 2024-25 school year as it currently operates. We continue to explore options and hope to have the resources to open in September, but only in a limited capacity. If enrollment is sufficient, we hope to accommodate Trinity’s rising fifth- and sixth-grade classes for one more year to allow those students to finish their early education at the school. We continue to communicate directly with the parents of those students to assess their intent and level of commitment, and to determine if continued, limited operation is academically and financially feasible.

“For 40 years, our school has been sustained through the grace of God with the love and ongoing collaboration of parents, students, alumni, administrators, teachers, pastors and benefactors,” said Father Mark R. Reilly, pastor of St. Peter’s Parish in Massena. “Their countless hours of effort, boundless generosity and sheer good will have helped create and sustain Trinity Catholic School as a source of education, faith, and human formation for our young people, their families and the community. To one and all, we extend our deepest gratitude. The end of this chapter in Massena’s Catholic educational environment does not diminishes the contributions and legacy of our school. Trinity Catholic School has been a journey of faith and love and will continue to have an impact for years to come.”

“Trinity Catholic School (TCS) has been a home away from home for some of our families for generations,” added school Principal Marianne Jadlos. “However, even those who walked through the school doors only once were instantly made to feel like part of the TCS family. Although today is a sad day, we will continue to enjoy each of the remaining days we have together. After the doors close, a new mission begins, which is to take the years we’ve spent at Trinity Catholic growing both academically and spiritually and boldly bring it out into the world.”