Medford's St. Joseph School to Close After 97 Years

Declining enrollment and rising costs force the closure of the Catholic school in June 2026.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:34am

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St. Joseph School, a Catholic school in Medford, Massachusetts that has been open for nearly 100 years, announced it will be closing its doors in June 2026. Father Hynes, the school's leader, cited declining enrollment trends and financial challenges as the reasons the school will not be able to operate in the 2026/2027 academic year.

Why it matters

The closure of St. Joseph School, a longstanding institution in the Medford community, marks the end of an era. The school has been a hub for Catholic education and community engagement for nearly a century, and its shuttering reflects broader challenges facing Catholic schools nationwide, including declining enrollment and rising costs.

The details

According to school officials, enrollment at St. Joseph School has dropped from 222 students just four years ago to 169 students this year. Father Hynes stated that the "costs to educate students and maintain the building are increasing at rates that simply cannot be passed on to families." The school is working with the Archdiocese of Boston and local parishes to ensure that both students and staff have a place to go next school year.

  • St. Joseph School will close its doors in June 2026.
  • Enrollment at the school has declined from 222 students four years ago to 169 students this year.

The players

Father Hynes

The leader of St. Joseph School, who announced the decision to close the school due to declining enrollment and rising costs.

Catholic Schools Office for the Archdiocese of Boston (CSO)

The organization that Father Hynes consulted with in making the decision to close St. Joseph School.

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What they’re saying

“To say this is a heart-wrenching decision is an understatement.”

— Father Hynes, Leader of St. Joseph School

“For more than 97 years, St. Joseph School has been a bedrock in our community. We will honor the long ministry of St. Joseph School. We are so proud of the generations of students, teachers and staff who have contributed to building a community committed to academic excellence and being great examples of people of faith.”

— Father Hynes, Leader of St. Joseph School

What’s next

St. Joseph School is working with the Archdiocese of Boston and local parishes to ensure a smooth transition for both students and staff to other schools for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The takeaway

The closure of St. Joseph School, a nearly century-old Catholic institution in Medford, Massachusetts, reflects the broader challenges facing Catholic schools nationwide, including declining enrollment and rising costs. The school's legacy, however, will continue to be felt in the community it has served for generations.