Friday June 6, could have marked not just the last day of the school year, but the last day ever for students at St. Francis de Sales School in Riverside.
The 107-year-old Catholic school in downtown Riverside is set to close after this school year. But a group of parents organized to raise money and fight to save their school.
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Now these parents have submitted a plan they believe could keep St. Francis open for at least three more years.
John Andrews, a spokesperson for the Diocese of San Bernardino that oversees the school, said Thursday, June 5, that an answer to the parents’ proposal — and a decision on the school’s fate — is scheduled for next week.
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Children wait Friday, June 6, 2025, to be picked up in the courtyard of St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in Riverside on the last day before summer vacation. A proposal from parents aims to keep the school open next year and beyond, but a decision is pending. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
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Children wait Friday, June 6, 2025, to be picked up in the courtyard of St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in Riverside on the last day before summer vacation. A proposal from parents aims to keep the school open next year and beyond, but a decision is pending. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
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“The proposal has not been accepted,” Andrews said. “They’re very passionate, but I think it’s too preliminary to say the school is going to stay open.”
The downtown Riverside school is among the city’s longest-standing Catholic schools, according to its website and is one of the oldest of any school in the city.
Parents such as Julian Valle, who has multiple St. Francis students, are hopeful.
“I’ve honestly seen my kids blossom at that school,” Valle said.
The proposal was submitted after a Tuesday, May 20, meeting between parents and diocesan officials.
The plan still needs approval from San Bernardino Bishop Alberto Rojas, who is expected to make a final decision next week.
St. Francis’ pastor, the Rev. Alvaro Palacios Arregui, could not be reached for comment.
The group’s plan, which does not include specific numbers, calls for it to raise grant money and scholarships to help financially sustain the school, which educates about 97 students.
Founded in 1918 by the Dominican Sisters of Houston, the school has faced declining enrollment, rising costs and financial challenges.
These issues were cited in a Monday, April 14, letter from Palacios Arregui to families announcing its closure.
The school operated this year with about 100 students but enrollment is expected to fall to 50 or 60, according to the parents’ plan, which is outlined in a Friday, May 30, letter.
That’s “far below optimum enrollment level for a school to be able to sustain itself financially,” Andrews said.
The parents’ plan states a goal to grow enrollment to 100 the following year.
It also proposes creating a nonprofit group a new nonprofit called the Riverside Consortium, which would run independently of the diocese and parish and include other local Catholic schools to raise money for the school.
Several nonprofit organizations and donors have committed to funding multi-year scholarships to support families in need, the letter states. The letter does not include estimates.
It also adds that “a dedicated parent board has formed to lead fundraising efforts” and states the parents are “confident in covering future financial gaps.”
The parents are also hoping their GoFundMe page that’s raised about $3,285 in donations since April will help raise funds.
Still, the parents remain hopeful.
“It was like a done deal that the school was closing,” said David Suarez, the parent of a second grader. “But we couldn’t let that happen without a fight.”
Valle added that “there were so many obstacles.”
“We didn’t have a financial plan at first. We didn’t have the backing of the parish. But we made it happen.”
Andrews said that, while the diocese is reviewing the plan, major concerns remain, including how the school would afford to pay teachers and staff with lower enrollment.
“I credit that little institution at St. Francis for so much of my kids’ success,” Valle said. “The ‘what if factor’ still lingers, but I’m holding onto hope that this all works out.”
