St. Raymond Academy for Girls to Close in 2027

The Bronx academy is set to shut its doors in 2027 after years of operating at half capacity.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold vector editorial illustration of a classic brick schoolhouse facade with an arched doorway, representing a local institution closure. — St. Raymond Academy for Girls in the Bronx will officially close its doors in 2027 following years of declining enrollment. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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St. Raymond Academy for Girls at 1725 Castle Hill Ave. will officially close in 2027. The decision follows a period where enrollment has consistently remained at approximately half capacity.

Why it matters

The closure reflects ongoing challenges for Catholic institutions in the borough as they grapple with shifting demographics and economic pressures. The parish is providing $3,000 annual scholarships to assist students moving to other schools.

The school, which opened in 1960, is located at 1725 Castle Hill Ave. Affected students will receive $3,000 in annual scholarship funds to transition to Academy of Mount St. Ursula or St. Catharine Academy.

The players

St. Raymond Academy for Girls

This private educational institution has served the Bronx community from its Castle Hill Avenue location for over six decades.

Preston High School

This school recently avoided closure through a strategic property deal involving the Bally's Foundation.

The details

Parents and students held a rally on October 13, 2026, to protest the closure, but the school ultimately confirmed its scheduled end. While the academy will close, St. Raymond High School for Boys and the local parish elementary school will continue to operate.

The academy first opened in 1960.
Saint Barnabas High School closed in 2024.
All Hallows, Our Lady of Refuge, and St. Lucy School closed in 2025.
A protest rally occurred on October 13, 2026.
The academy is scheduled to close in 2027.

Culture Shift

The closure is part of a broader trend of private Catholic schools in New York shuttering due to declining enrollment. This marks a departure from the mid-20th-century model that supported a dense network of single-sex secondary institutions.

Families affected by the closure must now coordinate with school leadership to secure transfers to Academy of Mount St. Ursula or St. Catharine Academy. Students will need to utilize the $3,000 scholarship aid provided by the parish to mitigate increased tuition costs at new schools.

The takeaway

Families should prioritize attending upcoming informational meetings to ensure a smooth transition for their children before the 2027 closure date. Keeping records of the scholarship eligibility and transfer requirements is essential for maintaining financial support during this move.