SOMERVILLE — St. Anthony of Padua School announced that the parish elementary school will close at the end of the 2005-2006 school year. Parents found out about the closure during a meeting March 3.

“It is with deep regret that it was announced to faculty, parents and students this week that St. Anthony School in Somerville will close in June at the end of the school year,” said a March 4 press release from the school. “A serious decline in enrollment, continued financial deficits and demographic changes in the immediate area of St. Anthony Parish and School have made it impossible for the school to remain operating.”

The statement also noted that students would be assisted in finding a Catholic school in their area for the next academic year. The school enrolled 225 students in kindergarten through eighth grade last year.

St. Anthony of Padua School was built by the first pastor and founder of St. Anthony Parish, Father Nazareno Properzi. The school opened in September of 1958 and was staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame. The school has served students of different races throughout its history and now has many Portuguese, Brazilian and Haitian students.

“We hope all the students of St. Anthony School, past and present, will carry fond memories of St. Anthony's and the education they received here with them for all of their lives,” the statement said.

<