The Catholic Diocese of Great Falls-Billings announced Friday that St. Patrick's Academy High School will not open for the 2026-27 school year, notifying families days before the new school year was set to begin. Bishop Jeffrey Fleming sent a letter to families explaining that the diocese was unable to hire a full-time principal and qualified faculty — a staffing failure that left enrolled students without a school to attend.
The timing of the announcement is particularly difficult for families who had committed to St. Patrick's and may have already declined enrollment at other schools. High school enrollment decisions typically happen in the spring, meaning affected students now face a compressed search for alternatives as other schools have already begun their academic years or are days away from doing so.
St. Patrick's Academy has been a component of Catholic education in the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, which covers a large portion of central and eastern Montana. The closure — even if framed as a one-year cancellation — raises questions about the long-term viability of Catholic secondary education in the diocese, which like many rural Catholic dioceses faces persistent challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified staff.
The diocese has not announced plans for reopening in a future year or outlined what support, if any, it is providing to displaced families navigating last-minute enrollment. Families in the Helena area who may have had students enrolled should contact the diocese or their local Catholic parish for guidance on next steps.