West Virginia diocese closes 2nd Catholic school this year

MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. (AP) - A Roman Catholic diocese has closed two Catholic schools in a West Virginia county this year, citing low enrollment.

Local news outlets report the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston announced Thursday that All Saints Catholic School in Moundsville will not reopen for the 2017-2018 school year. The announcement follows the closure of Bishop Donahue High School.

The closure of the K-8 school comes to years after its opening. Only 32 students enrolled for the upcoming school year, leaving most grades with four or fewer students. The diocese said in a statement that there were no plans to close the school prior to receiving enrollment numbers.

All Saints offered lower tuition than the other four area-Catholic schools. Bishop Michael J. Brasnfield has announced a $1,000 scholarship for students continuing at another diocesan school.