Sheldon St. Patrick School announces closure

After 70 years of providing a Catholic education for families in the Sheldon, Ashton and Sibley areas, the Sheldon St. Patrick Catholic School Board of Education and leadership made the difficult decision to permanently close the school at the end of the current academic year. Due to low and declining enrollment and other factors, it was determined that it was not feasible to continue to operate.

As of this year, St. Patrick has 42 students enrolled in grades PK to 8. 

Staff and parents were advised of the closure by school leadership and the school board after school on March 6. A similar message was shared at the weekend Masses with the parishioners of Sheldon St. Patrick, Ashton St. Mary and Sibley St. Andrew Parishes. Father Siby Punnoose is the pastor of all three parishes and serves on the St. Patrick School Board.

Parents were asked to talk to their children about the upcoming closure of the school over the weekend. On Monday, Catholic Charities had a school-based therapist on campus available to talk to students and staff regarding St. Patrick’s closing.

“It is a sad occasion whenever a Catholic school must close and we know this was a difficult decision for the leadership of St. Patrick. We are grateful for the many decades that St. Patrick Catholic School served the families and students in the Sheldon area, teaching the faith and academics to our young people. Let us all keep the St. Patrick family in our prayers as they process this news,” Bishop John E. Keehner said of the closure.

St. Patrick School Board President Michael Murphy echoed the bishop’s concern for the staff and students upon learning the news of the closure.

“As a product of Catholic education, I am distraught that there will no longer be an option for Catholic education in our community. With declining enrollment, we did not see a path forward. We want to thank our supporters - without you the run we had would not have been possible,” Murphy said.

Pot O’Gold, the school’s annual fundraising dinner and auction was previously scheduled this for March 14 and is still being held.

“As we approach the final months of this school year, we invite our community to gather one last time for a tradition that holds great significance for our school,” the school posted on the St. Patrick Facebook account. “This evening is not just about fundraising; it’s about coming together as a community to celebrate the teachers, staff, and students who make St. Patrick’s such a special place.”

Opened in 1955
According to diocesan archives, the current St. Patrick School brick building opened for the academic year in 1955 and was dedicated in 1956. Father J.J. Hyland was the administrator overseeing the construction of the school.

In the fall of 1970, St. Patrick School entered into a cooperative agreement with Ashton St. Mary with fifth through eighth grade students attending St. Patrick.

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