Preston High School in The Bronx will close its doors at the end of the school year.

In a letter, Principal Jennifer Connolly said the board of trustees informed the school of their decision to close the school at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

“We are heartbroken that the Board has come to this decision,” said Connolly. Connolly added “Over the last few years, we have worked tirelessly with lawyers, lobbyists, professional fundraisers, and others advocating for Preston, its students and families, in the hope that the Sisters would honor and continue the mission and vision started by Mother Mary Veronica. Ultimately, the Sisters presented Preston with a deal that was not in Preston’s best interest.”

The school says it is working with the Archdiocese to help find the best placement for their students.

The Preston High School Board of Trustees released the following statement:

"The decision to close Preston High School was not made lightly, and our prayers are with students and their families as well as faculty and staff as the community moves forward.

The decision to close Preston High School may feel sudden, but it has been an ongoing discussion with the administration for many years. Preston High School administration was made aware of the need to become independent in 2019 and they and the Board of Trustees began considering their options for the future of the school at that time.

In 2023, during considerations of putting the property where Preston High School is located on the market, the Board of Trustees and administration of Preston High School indicated their desire to purchase it.

Over the last 18 months, exclusive negotiations with Preston High School administration have been held, and despite many concessions made on various deal points in order to seek a solution that worked for the school, Preston High School ultimately was unable to purchase the property. "