Catholic school in St. Pete Beach to close permanently due to hurricane damage

ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — St. John Vianney Catholic School in St. Pete Beach will permanently close at the end of the school year due to damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the school announced Wednesday.

The school has been closed to students since Hurricane Helene brought flooding on Sept. 27, causing critical damage to its electrical, HVAC, roofing, and structural systems. Students have attended classes at three locations since October, including Cathedral School of St. Jude, the Pastoral Center, and St. Petersburg Catholic High School.

Leadership said they explored multiple options, including building a new school, but the ideas were deemed not practical and the decision was instead made to close the school permanently.

Until the end of the 2024 academic year, St. John and St. Jude will continue to operate as two schools on one campus. Next year, St. John Vianney Catholic School students and faculty will be folded into the Cathedral School of St. Jude as permanent students under a single school.

In a letter to families, Bishop Gregory Parkes wrote:

"Though I am saddened by the impact of these storms on our community, I find great hope in the future of a united school community that will continue to provide an exceptional, faith-filled Catholic education for our young people."