St. Clement School, Medford to close

MEDFORD -- St. Clement School in Medford will be closing its doors at the end of the current school year in June.

The school currently educates students in grades 6-12, as well as Pre-K. It had also maintained an elementary school until the end of the 2015-2016 year.

According to the archdiocese, a combination of factors, including declining and low enrollment, contributed to the decision to close the school. Enrollment since the 2012-2013 year has declined by 43 percent, from 256 students to 147 students, while efforts to increase enrollment and retain students were met with only limited success.

St. Clement School will host an informational school fair on May 31, which will be attended by area schools and staffed with school leaders and admissions counselors for families who wish to keep their children in a Catholic school.

Faculty and staff affected by the closing will be placed on a priority list for openings in other Catholic schools for September 2017 and will be assisted by the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese of Boston in finding placement.

Established in September 1925, the school is under the direction of St. Clement Parish.