January 28, 2005 – Faced with a steady decline in student enrollment over the past several years, Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Westchester announced today that it would be closing its doors at the end of the 2004-2005 school year. Faculty, staff, students and their parents were notified Friday in private briefings led by Immaculate Heart of Mary High School President, Dr. Karen Ristau. The school attributes the decline in enrollment to demographic shifts in the surrounding community and the economic reality for many families at this time.

“Many of our students’ families have modest incomes – nearly 31% are on some type of financial aid to pay the current annual tuition of $6,500,” said Dr. Ristau. “As we’ve seen our student enrollment decline, the cost of providing the same level of high quality college preparatory education has unfortunately become cost-prohibitive.”

Immaculate Heart of Mary High School’s annual cost to educate each student is approximately $9,000 per year. In the past, the school has been able to make up the cost differential through the generosity of alumnae and other supporters.

“Deciding to close Immaculate Heart of Mary High School after 45 years of providing quality education to young women was an extremely difficult decision to make,” continued Dr. Ristau. “We care deeply for our students, faculty and their respective families. Over the past two years we have worked to improve our enrollment. Yet we have come to the realization that with the current size of our school it isn’t economically feasible to stay open.”

Immaculate Heart of Mary High School will continue with a strong academic program for the remainder of the 2004-2005 school year, and will be working closely with its students, parents and faculty to make the transition as easy as possible for all parties. Over the coming weeks, the school’s leadership will outline all the available options to each group and will have counselors on hand to discuss how the decision is personally affecting students, parents, faculty and staff members. Letters were mailed today to the school’s supporters and alumnae to inform them of the news.

Presently, 350 young women are enrolled at Immaculate Heart of Mary High School, with 112 anticipated to graduate in June 2005. For the remaining students, Immaculate Heart of Mary High School administrators and faculty will encourage and support them to continue their Catholic education with a particular advocacy for all-women schools.

“We strongly endorse the concept of young women experiencing a single-gender high school experience and are committed to supporting our students if they select to continue to pursue that path at another academic institution,” said Dr. Ristau.

The Sister, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Monroe, Michigan opened the school in 1960. Over the past 45 years, as a college-preparatory school, Immaculate Heart of Mary High School has educated over 6,000 young women spiritually, academically and socially in a supportive learning community so that they might embrace their future with confidence. In the coming months, the school community will invite alumnae, donors and friends of the school to celebrate the gift Immaculate Heart of Mary High School has been to the Chicago archdiocese and to graduates’ local communities.

For more information about Immaculate Heart of Mary High School and this announcement, please contact Dr. Karen Ristau at 708-531-9044.