St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School (www.st-michaelschool.org)
WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- The Archdiocese of Washington has says that the St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School will suspend operation at the end of this academic year.
One hundred and fifty six students enrolled at the Catholic school in Silver Spring will have to find a new school to attend.
The St. Michael the Archangel parish consulted parents, administrators, teachers, parishioners and community members in the fall but says that declining enrollment -- 258 students attended the school during the 2002-2003 school year -- and increasing operating deficits led the pastor, Rev. Msgr. Eddie Tolentino to recommend suspending school operations.
The Archdiocese of Washington accepted that recommendation and encouraged families to attend neighboring Catholic schools. The archdiocese says it and school leaders will help families find a Catholic school that suits their needs.
According to the Archdiocese of Washingtin, it has 21 archdiocesan elementary schools, 1 early learning center and 8 independent elementary schools in Montgomery County. There are eight independent high schools and and one archdiocesan high school in the county. It also says five of the schools have both lower and upper schools.