Chicago (March 21, 2024) – Today, Rev. George Koeune, pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish and St. Bede School in Ingleside, Ill., made the heartbreaking announcement that St. Bede School will be closing at the end of this school year due to low registration for the following year. The enrollment target of 182 students fell short with only 119 students registered as of March 19.

The efforts of the parish and school in launching a fundraising campaign to keep the school open were immense, resulting in over $500,000 raised. However, despite the massive fundraising, the lack of student enrollment made it unfeasible to sustain the school.

In a statement, Rev. Koeune expressed his gratitude towards the donors, acknowledging that even their extraordinary generosity could not offset the challenges faced by the school. He highlighted the impact of the state's decision to end the Invest in Kids scholarship program, stating, “The loss of the state Invest in Kids scholarship program created a feeling of uncertainty for the school’s future that could not be overcome—even by an incredible fundraising effort.”

Greg Richmond, superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of the Invest in Kids scholarship program for St. Bede School. He mentioned, “About 15% of students at St. Bede have been receiving a state Invest in Kids scholarship. The legislature’s decision to end that program was a blow to those schoolchildren and a contributing factor to the fate of St. Bede.”

The decision to close St. Bede School was ultimately accepted by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, following a meeting between Koeune, the parish finance council, and education officials. The school, located in Ingleside, Ill., catered to a diverse community of white and Hispanic families and served 182 students. Families who benefitted from the Invest in Kids scholarship program must now navigate the impact of its discontinuation on their children's education.