Chicago Archdiocese to close 3 Catholic schools

CHICAGO -- The Archdiocese of Chicago will close three Catholic schools- Saint Agatha Catholic Academy, Saint Peter School and Seton Academy Transitions- at the end of the school year.

The closures are part of an "ongoing strategic planning," according to a Chicago Archdiocese release. Archbishop Blase Cupich has accepted the recommendations.

Saint Agatha transitioned from a Pre-K through 8th grade into an early childhood program last year. The Chicago school has only 12 students currently enrolled.

Saint Peter in Antioch has had declining enrollment over the years and is operating with a deficit.

Seton Academy in South Holland has also faced declining enrollment and fiscal difficulties.

Approximately 82,000 students attend 230 Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Chicago in Cook and Lake counties. It is the largest private school system in the U.S.