By JOSEPH FITZGERALD

BURRILLVILLE — Father Holland Catholic School in Pascoag, one of four Catholic schools that make up the Greater Woonsocket Catholic Regional School System (GWCRS), will close at the end of this school year if the school does not enroll a certain number of students for next year.

The GWCRS-administered school on Sayles Avenue, which serves students in pre-kindergarten through Grade 8 and is a stepping stone to Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, has roughly 10 days to meet a minimum of 110 paid student enrollments in kindergarten through Grade 8 for the 2008-2009 school year or face closure next year, a spokesman for the Diocese of Providence said Wednesday.
That is the number of paid deposits needed in order for the school to “remain viable,” said diocese spokesman Michael Guilfoyle.
“Without reaching that goal, the Father Holland School will sink deeper into debt,” said Guilfoyle, adding that the decision to give the school until the end of February to attain that goal was made following two meetings between diocesan and school officials late last month.
If the school does not meet the goal, then a decision will be made in early March to close the school next year. If that happens, then diocesan officials will work with parents of students currently enrolled at the school in an attempt to place them in other Catholic schools in the area.
This year, there are 108 students enrolled in kindergarten through Grade 8 and 27 students in the pre-kindergarten program.
If the school is successful in enrolling 110 students for next year and remains open, it will be converted into a parochial school by St. Joseph Parish — one of 18 GWCRS member parishes.
School operations would virtually remain the same, except that all administrative, managerial, maintenance and financial functions would be taken over by the parish – not the GWCRS. Right now the regional system administers operations at the school, which is leased from St. Joseph Parish.
Established in 1972, the regional system also includes the Good Shepherd Catholic School, Monsignor Gadoury Primary School and Our Lady of Victories School, all located in Woonsocket.
All four are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
“There would be little to no noticeable change,” Guilfoyle said of the plan to convert Father Holland into a parish school. “The only change would be in the administration of the school.”
Guilfoyle said Father Holland would remain a pre-kindergarten through Grade 8 school employing the same teachers and staff with no disruption of classes – but only if 110 students register over the next 10 days.
Diocese and school officials are positive that will happen, saying they are close to the 110 enrollment goal – perhaps as close as 25 enrollments away from realizing that number.
“We’re hopeful area families will recognize the value of a Catholic education at Father Holland School and what the school has to offer,” said Guilfoyle, adding that letters of intent were mailed out to parents of currently-enrolled students. “The school is near its 110 goal, but it has to reach that number or it will be in jeopardy of closing.”
Shawn A. Capron, Father Holland School principal for the past 12 years, says she is confident the school will remain open based on the response from parents at a Jan. 27 open house and written responses to the letter of intent the school mailed out recently to parents. The letter asked parents to answer one of three questions: Do they plan to enroll their children next year; not enroll them; or explore other options.
“Ninety-nine percent of the responses we got back from parents stated they plan to enroll their children next year,” she said. “In fact, I’ve already begun planning a new program for next year.”
As for the number of enrollments already received for next year, Capron said, “We’re extremely close.”
Guilfoyle said that while the majority of the schools in the Greater Woonsocket Catholic Regional School System – Good Shepherd Catholic School, Monsignor Gadoury Primary School and Our Lady of Victories School – are doing well, some are facing similar challenges when it comes to enrollment.