A group of Brooklyn mothers is still searching for answers two months after learning Visitation Academy will close for good.

“As the enrollment dwindles, it’s logical to assume that the school cannot sustain itself on decreasing tuition revenue. We were, however, constantly reassured that would not be a problem,” said Colleen Britton who served as president of Visitation Academy’s Mothers Club.

She said last October, parents and alumni received an email from the all-girls 3K through eighth grade Catholic school, urging them to help raise money.

What You Need To Know

  • Last October, parents and alumni received an email from the all-girls 3K through eighth grade Catholic school, urging them to help raise money

  • About 100 students currently attend Visitation Academy, which was founded in 1855

  • The Visitation Sisters of Brooklyn said there are only two nuns left at the Brooklyn Visitation Monastery

“The undertone of that letter was that the school was in dire financial need,” Britton said.

Britton said she pledged her support. She made suggestions on how to increase revenue and asked for a meeting. She said about 50 families co-signed her letter and they raised more than one hundred thousand dollars.

“It’s unfortunate that while we were doing that, plans for closure were already in place,” Britton said.

About 100 students currently attend Visitation Academy. When the school was founded in 1855, Central Park was in the planning stages, the Civil War was ten years out and Brooklyn was still its own city.

“This building, this campus is a staple in this community. Anyone who’s grown up here will tell you whether they’ve attended school here or not, any religion, any gender. This is part of the fabric of Bay Ridge,” Britton said.

Parents said they were told in February that the school would shutter at the end of the school year due to low enrollment, crumbling infrastructure and a lack of nuns. The Visitation Sisters of Brooklyn said there are only two nuns left at the Brooklyn Visitation Monastery. The school is not a part of the Brooklyn Diocese, but the nuns have run the school through private donations.

“There are a number of families here who are ready, willing and able to stand up for this school in many, many ways,” Britton said. “But we weren’t given that opportunity and that really is hurtful.”

A spokesperson said in a statement, “The Diocese of Brooklyn is truly saddened by the impending loss of the presence of the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary in Brooklyn. The Diocese of Brooklyn remains committed to assisting all current students with a transition to a new school.”