Parents and students in the Bronx are in disbelief after receiving an unexpected late-night email from Preston High School, revealing plans to close the school at the end of the current academic year.
The school, a cherished institution for 75 years, will shut down due to a combination of declining enrollment, financial struggles, and outdated infrastructure, according to the Board of Trustees.
The announcement has sparked outrage, with many questioning the true reasons behind the closure and voicing concerns about the future of the school’s 369 students.
While the Board cited financial issues and enrollment numbers as key factors, former school officials and the local community have begun to challenge this narrative.
Community Doubts the Official Reason for the Closure
Gerilyn Harty, a former Board of Trustees member, spoke out against the decision, revealing to CBS that the school was financially stable, and enrollment was actually on the rise.
“The only thing that’s true in their statement is that it’s an old building, and yes, it needs maintenance.
But the school has been maintaining it for the last 50 years,” Harty explained.
This has left many people in the community puzzled, especially when it seems the school was running efficiently and meeting the needs of its students.
Preston High School Principal Jennifer Connolly also voiced her disagreement in a follow-up email, explaining that the decision to close the school was made by the Board of Trustees and the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, the owners of the school’s property.
Connolly made it clear that the closure was out of the school’s hands.
A Fight for the Future of the Students
For many in the community, the sudden closure announcement has been more than just an inconvenience—it’s a blow to their educational and emotional well-being.
“This is silencing young women, especially young women of color in the Bronx,” student Cielo John told Fox 5.
“This is taking away opportunities from people who need it the most.”
On Thursday, dozens of parents, students, teachers, and alumni gathered outside the school to protest the closure, chanting “Save our school!” and holding signs that called for the Board to reconsider their decision.
Some signs directly addressed the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, accusing them of prioritizing financial interests over the education and futures of the girls who have long called Preston their second home.
The Role of Greed and Development Plans
A major point of contention among protesters is the suspicion that the closure is motivated by profit-driven development plans in the Throggs Neck area.
Alumnus Christine Monnelly voiced her concerns, claiming that the closure was driven by “greed” and the desire to make way for development projects like casinos and apartment buildings—projects that many feel the community doesn’t need.
“The school has been a beacon of education and charity, and now it’s being threatened by financial greed,” Monnelly said.
The sentiment was echoed by others at the protest, who called for the administrators to remember the true mission of the school—educating young women in need.
Students Rally to Keep the School Open
For many students, Preston High is more than just a place of learning—it’s a place of community, support, and empowerment.
“Preston is more than just a school to me,” said student Jazmine Waller.
“It’s where I’ve grown, where I’ve found my voice, and where I’ve built lifelong relationships.”
This sense of belonging is why many students and alumni are fighting so hard to keep the doors of the school open.
Bronx Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato also showed her support by attending Thursday’s protest.
“These girls and families do not deserve this,” Marmorato shared on Facebook.
“They deserve continuity, respect, and an open school!”
Online Petition Gains Support
In an effort to save the school, a petition has gained over 6,500 signatures, with supporters describing Preston High School as a “sanctuary of faith, sisterhood, and empowerment” for young women, not only in the Bronx but beyond.
The petition, which is gaining momentum, has become a focal point for those who believe that the school’s closure would be a tragic loss for the community.
Some former students have even called on one of the school’s most famous alumni, Jennifer Lopez, to step in and help.
“Somebody get Jenny on the phone!” one passionate former Preston student said in a TikTok video.
“We need you to donate some money because if you want to rep the Bronx, rep your high school.”
The Fight for Preston Continues
Despite the heartbreaking news, the Preston High School community is determined to keep the fight alive.
A second protest is already planned for Sunday, this time outside the Sisters of the Divine Compassion’s headquarters.
“We need to stick together as a family—the Preston family that we are,” student Briana Cherubino said.
“Everyone needs to stand up for Preston.”
As more rallies and petitions take shape, the future of Preston High School remains uncertain.
But one thing is clear: the community will not give up without a fight.