Cathedral High School, an all-girls Catholic institution in Manhattan, will permanently close following the 2025-2026 school year after struggling with declining enrollment and financial issues, the Board of Trustees announced in collaboration with the Archdiocese of New York.
The decision to shut down the school, which was founded in 1905, comes after a thorough financial review and months of deliberation with educational and financial experts, according to a report by thegoodnewsroom.org.
School leaders cited a dramatic enrollment decline as the primary factor, noting that student numbers have dropped nearly 50% since the 2023-2024 academic year.
“Taken together, these realities create a structural and financial imbalance that cannot be corrected without compromising Cathedral’s mission or the quality of education we provide,” the Board said in its statement. “We are profoundly aware of the emotional weight this carries for students, families, faculty, staff, alumnae and all those who love Cathedral.”
Rising operational costs and fundraising limitations have added to the enrollment crisis. Despite ongoing efforts, fundraising proved insufficient to ensure the institution’s long-term sustainability, according to the report.
Cathedral High School was founded by the Sisters of Charity and has educated generations of young women in New York City.
From its earliest days educating daughters of immigrants, the school embraced the city’s diversity while providing transformative Catholic education rooted in academic excellence, faith and service, according to the report.