SYRACUSE -- Classes will end for good at the Bishops' Academy at St. Charles Borromeo when the current school year ends.

In an announcement from the Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, Bishop Robert Cunningham also announced that the Bishop's Academy concept being employed at three other diocese schools in Syracuse will be dissolved. Those schools include Cathedral at Pompei, Holy Family and Most Holy Rosary.

That means diocesan schools, which are primarily operated by the Diocese will become parish schools, which are primarily operated by the individual parishes.

Superintendent Christopher Mominey says the parish schools are thriving, and enrollment has increased since last year.  On the other hand, enrollment and financial support is decreasing at diocesan schools. 

Last April, the Syracuse Diocese asked the diocesan schools to investigate whether it was possible to continue as parish schools.  Based on the results, the diocese decided St. Charles Borromeo should be closed.

"It's a painful decision," says Mominey.  "This is not a statement about St. Charles.  It's a statement about the future of Catholic education, of stabilizing Catholic schools, so we can maintain the mission."

Mominey says it appears the schools are best run locally.  However, the diocese will continue to help parish schools with financial aid, grants, and funding.

There are about 80 students at St. Charles school.  Families were notified Monday. 

Dan Kesselring says it was difficult to hear the news.  He had three children go through St. Charles.  His son, Brody, is in pre-Kindergarten at the school now, and he's sad his fifth child won't have the chance to go there.

"It's pretty heart-breaking," he says.  "My wife went there right up until she went to high school, so I actually drive across town to come here.  This place has just been wonderful for us."

The Syracuse Diocese is hoping to place staff members into positions at other schools, and it's hoping the students will continue their Catholic education.  The diocese is offering a $650 transition scholarship to any student who enrolls in another K-6 Catholic elementary school in the diocese.