MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Archdiocese of Miami is merging two of its high schools next year.
Parents and staff were sent a letter from the Archdiocese stating that the merger of Archbishop Curley/Notre Dame High School with Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens would take place at the start of the 2017-2018 school year.
"It's a necessary, but a difficult decision," Mary Ross Agosta from the Archdiocese said.
The Archdiocese said enrollment at Archbishop Curley is down and the campus, which has been there for 63 years, is in need of upgrades and repairs.
Only 229 students are enrolled at the school, down 43 students from 2015.
"The Archdiocese of Miami has made the decision to merge both Catholic high schools to provide your child with an enhanced educational experience, outstanding extra curricula exposure and the opportunity to excel in Msgr. Pace's academies," Archbishop Thomas Wenski said in a statement.
Students enrolled at Archbishop Curley/Notre Dame High School who maintain required academic standards and whose family is in good financial standing will be guaranteed admission to Monsignor Pace High School.
"It's a very good school and it gives her a chance to have a little broader education than the 100 kids they have now," one parent, Jawann Fulton, said.
Families will also be eligible to apply for tuition assistance. Still, some parents have their concerns.
"Most of them are worried about how far Pace is and most of them are worried about that at Pace everything will be different," Eighth grader Shanice Doreus said.
Students in the sixth and seventh grade have several Catholic elementary schools that they can enroll in, including Holy Family, St. James, St. Lawrence and the Cathedral School of St. Mary.
More information is expected to be provided to parents in February, including invitations to the schools' open houses.
The Archdiocese said it will work to move teachers within the Catholic school system and portables will likely be brought in to accommodate the extra students at Monsignor Edward Pace.
Anyone with questions about the merger is asked to call the Superintendent of Schools' office at 305-762-1019.