A wave of heartbreak and frustration has swept through the Throggs Neck neighborhood following the devastating announcement that Preston High School, a historic all-girls Catholic institution, will close its doors at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. The news has ignited a passionate outcry from students, families, and alumni who refuse to accept what they see as an unjust decision driven by financial concerns and outside interests.
Founded in 1947 by the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, Preston High School has long stood as a pillar of education, empowerment, and faith for young women in the Bronx. But after 78 years of academic excellence and community service, the school’s Board of Trustees has made the heart-wrenching decision to shut it down, citing financial struggles, declining enrollment, and the increasing burden of maintaining aging infrastructure.
This decision is not an isolated incident. The Bronx has seen a steady decline in Catholic and private schools, with institutions such as Our Lady of Refuge School, St. Lucy’s School, and All Hallows High School also shutting their doors at the end of this school year. The erosion of these faith-based educational institutions has left families feeling abandoned and betrayed, further deepening the wounds of communities already struggling with limited educational options.
A Betrayal of Values?
For many students, the closure is more than just an administrative decision; it is a profound betrayal. The values instilled by Preston—dignity, honor, respect, and compassion—now seem disregarded by the very organization that once championed them. Students and alumni have not remained silent, instead choosing to fight for their beloved school.
“I am heartbroken that my school is being unjustly shut down. This school provided not just a strong education, but a safe and supportive environment for everyone within it. What is even more frustrating is that this decision was not made by our faculty, staff, or administrators—not even by the Archdiocese of New York—but by the Board of Trustees. Losing our school is not just about buildings or budgets; it is about the students whose futures are being disrupted. We deserve better.”
Another passionate voice echoed these sentiments:
“To think a community was led by a motto of dignity, honor, respect, and compassion, there was clearly none when these nuns made this decision. The nerve to betray such devoted faculty, staff, parents, and students is beyond hypocritical. I hope they realize that Preston will not go down without a fight.”
A student who has been deeply impacted by Preston’s values expressed her disappointment and frustration:
“Preston High School has instilled values of dignity, honor, respect, and compassion in its students for 78 years. Preston was not shown compassion when the decision was made to close the school. The Sisters of the Divine Compassion have shown us their true values of greed and misery. They have thrown away countless opportunities for all the aspiring young women who attend this school for their own selfish needs. They silenced voices from the people who work tirelessly to provide a good education for its attendees. Preston High School is not just a school, it is a home to many people. It’s sickening to see those on the Board of Trustees turn their backs on us and go against the very mission they once lived for. Preston High School is not just a building. It is a community built upon years of hard work. The stability this school has provided for so many families in the Bronx should not go unnoticed, as even in this chaos, we still retain those values we’ve been taught: dignity, honor, respect, and compassion.”
Another student, reflecting on the broader impact of the closure, shared:
“This school has been open for 78 years now with a mission to educate future leaders and has had a great impact on the community. Preston is not just a high school; it is an afterschool program, summer camp, Big Sister Little Sister program, and Preston Center of Compassion. Please understand, Preston is more than a school—it is a community of people. As someone who has attended Preston for four years, the school and faculty have shaped me into the person and leader I am today, and it is not fair that other girls aren’t going to be able to have the same opportunity. This choice should not be made by sisters who don’t care about the future leaders of the world.”
One freshman, though new to Preston, has already felt the deep sense of community and refuses to let the school go down without a fight:
“Though I have only been at Preston High School for a few months, it has already shown me what true community looks like. From the moment I walked through its doors, I was met with love, compassion, and unwavering support. Every day, I see teachers who embody Preston’s vision of dignity, honor, respect, and compassion—not just in their lessons, but in the way they uplift their students and believe in our potential. This school is more than just a place of education; it is a family, a second home, a foundation for young women to grow into leaders. I know what it feels like to lose a school that means everything. I fought for St. Barnabas, and though that fight did not end the way I had hoped, I refuse to let history repeat itself. I will not be silenced. We cannot be silenced. If we truly believe in the values that Preston has instilled in us, then we must stand together and fight for the school that has given us so much. This is our moment to prove that community is stronger than any decision made behind closed doors. I urge every student, alumna, parent, teacher, and supporter to raise their voices—because Preston is worth fighting for, and we are not done yet.”
A Fight for the Future
Determined not to let their beloved school close without resistance, students, alumni, and community members are rallying together. They are calling on elected officials and influential alumni, including global superstar Jennifer Lopez, to step in and help save the institution.
The next rally to protest the closure is scheduled for Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. outside the headquarters of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion at 52 North Broad, White Plains, New York 10602. Supporters hope that through collective action, media attention, and public pressure, they can force a reconsideration of the decision before it’s too late.
The fight for Preston High School is far from over. For its students and alumni, this is not just about preserving a school; it is about protecting a legacy, a mission, and a future that should not be stolen from the next generation of young women in the Bronx.
The battle has begun. Will Preston Student’s voice be heard?
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
