Hendricks Day School closes its doors

After 45 years school closes over declining enrollment

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It's been a staple in the community for more than 40 years but now the Hendricks Day School, a private school on the Southside, is shutting down.

Board members made the announcement this week citing declining enrollment.

People at the school were asking not to talk about the closing but said that they are mourning the loss of their school and are working to make sure that families, faculty and staff are taken care of.

"Of course I feel kind of in shock. I've been here together in the school for almost a year now. We have three boys here, so we are still trying to digest the news," Robert Jo, a parent of one of the students, said. "Right now I feel sad but I am sure the board has very good reason to do what they decide to do."

The board of trustees at the school made the decision Monday, taking a final vote to stop operations at the school.

Tuesday, the school released a statement saying the board of trustees decided the school will cease operations this month. The statement said the decision is solely a board decision and went on to say "This decision is a result of declining enrollment over the course of many years."

The school has been operating since 1970 and tuitions ranged from $5,000 to $11,000 for 7th and 8th grade.

There are no details on exactly when the school will close or how long staff and employees will be paid. The Board of Trustees has decided not to make any other comments about the school closing at this time, saying this is a particularly painful time for all involved.