“Until recently, the Institute and Loretto administrators hoped that by pursuing every option known we could avoid having to close Loretto. We have exhausted the options and now have no other option. What we have is a shared dedication to our students and their continued success” , Sister Rosemary Lynch by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary Provincial said in a statement.

The Illinois-based institute, which has Loretto, said he tried to sell the school campus to consolidate debts.

Three years ago, there were 560 students enrolled in school, Sister Helen Timothy Loretto president said in the letter. That number dropped to 389 students this year, she said.

Citing low enrollment and the economic downturn, an all-girls Catholic school in Sacramento have. announced it will close at the end of the school year.

Loretto High School, which is located in the 2300 block of El Camino Avenue, said in a letter that also faced the costs and increasing competition from other schools.

Parents who take their children to travel to the Sacramento school also are facing increased costs, the letter said.

The school said 127 seniors will graduate in June, and that 262 juniors, freshmen and sophomores would need to find another school for fall 2009.

“Our government’s first priority is to minimize the disruption in the lives of our current students, prospective students and their families. To facilitate a smooth transition in the change of school, another Catholic school administrators agreed to accommodate as many students as possible in time for the next year, “said Timothy in a statement.

Some of the 57 employees in Loretto, including 32 teachers, 19 support staff and six directors, are expected to withdraw, Timothy said. However, most will be unemployed come June.

Since Diocesano Loretto is not a school, the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento is not in a position to keep the school open through financial support, the school said.

Domenic Puglisi the diocese said it operates 41 primary schools and 9 secondary schools, including St. Francis High School in Sacramento.

St. Lawrence Elementary School in North Highlands closed last year, and Bishop Quinn High School in Palo Cedro.Citing Enrollment low and the economic downturn, an all-girls Catholic school in Sacramento have. announced it will close at the end of the school year.

Loretto High School, which is located in the 2300 block of El Camino Avenue, said in a letter that also faced the increasing costs and competition from other schools.

“Until recently, the Institute and Loretto administrators hoped that by pursuing every option known we could avoid having to close Loretto. We have exhausted the options and now have no other option. What we have is a shared dedication to our students and their continued success , “Sister Rosemary Lynch by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary Provincial said in a statement.

The Illinois-based institute, which has Loretto, said he tried to sell the school campus to consolidate debts.

Three years ago, there were 560 students enrolled in school, Sister Helen Timothy Loretto president said in the letter. That number dropped to 389 students this year, she said.

Parents who take their children to travel to the Sacramento school are also facing increased costs, the letter said.

The school said 127 seniors will graduate in June, and that 262 juniors, freshmen and sophomores would need to find another school for fall 2009.

“Our government’s first priority is to minimize the disruption in the lives of our current students, prospective students and their families. To facilitate a smooth transition in the change of school, another Catholic school administrators agreed to accommodate the many students as possible in time for the next year, “said Timothy in a statement.

Some of the 57 employees in Loretto, including 32 teachers, 19 support staff and six directors, are expected to withdraw, Timothy said. However, most will be unemployed come June.

Since Diocesano Loretto is not a school, the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento is not in a position to keep the school open through financial support, the school said.

Domenic Puglisi the diocese said it operates 41 primary schools and 9 secondary schools, including St. Francis High School in Sacramento.

St. Lawrence Elementary School in North Highlands closed last year, and Bishop Quinn High School in Palo Cedro.