The Diocese of Rochester has mandated St. Francis-St. Stephen School to discontinue its seventh and eighth grades after the 2023-24 academic year, transforming it into a pre-school to Grade 6 institution.
This change aligns with the new model adopted by the Diocesan system of schools, as stated in a letter to the families from school leaders, according to reporting this week by the Finger Lakes Times.
The decision follows a trend of declining enrollment in the upper grades across other Diocesan schools, leading to similar grade eliminations or school closures. The current academic year at St. Francis-St. Stephen hosts six seventh graders and seven eighth graders.