April 30, 2026
Dear Parishioners,
We are writing to share an update about a strategic decision regarding the future of our educational programs consisting of two primary components: St. Michael’s Episcopal Day School and our Infant and Toddler Program.
St. Michael’s Episcopal Day School
St. Michael’s Episcopal Day School has a long and meaningful history of serving children from Pre-K through 6th grade with a dedication to open classrooms. However, enrollment has declined significantly—from a high of 108 students to a projected 12 students for the 2026-2027 school year, a decline of over 80 percent. This steep drop reflects broader trends in independent schools nationwide and increased competition from public and charter school alternatives.
Despite significant investments of time, talent, and funding, including a rebranding effort, we are facing a projected revenue shortfall of $400,000. The Vestry has carefully evaluated multiple options to sustain the school, including operational restructuring, tuition adjustments, dedicated marketing and fundraising, and partnership models. However, after thorough analysis, we determined these approaches would not achieve long-term viability.
The Vestry believes that merged classes of this size limit our ability to provide the necessary educational environment our families deserve and CSMSG aspires to offer. Consequently, we have decided to close the school at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. This timeline allows current students and families adequate opportunities to transition to other educational settings that may be a better fit for their needs.
Gratitude and Support
We are deeply grateful to our Head of School, Dr. Beth Human, teachers, and families who have poured their hearts into St. Michael’s Episcopal Day School over the years. Your dedication to these children has been a witness to our faith and a blessing to our community. As we navigate this transition, the Vestry is committed to supporting families and staff. We will provide resources, timeline details, and a dedicated contact (vestry@csmsg.org).
Our Thriving Infant and Toddler Program
Conversely, our Infant and Toddler Program, which began as “Mother’s Day Out,” has thrived. Under the leadership of Dr. Lindsey Stueber, it has grown into a fully developed program serving 56 children with a dedicated staff of 16 care providers and specialized courses in Spanish, art, and music.
A Strategic Retreat and New Horizon
We view this transition as a “strategic retreat” – a prayerful step back to position ourselves for greater service ahead. Once the school transition is complete, we’ll work with parish leadership and the broader community to discern new ways CSMSG can serve families and children—potentially including expansion of our Infant and Toddler Program and exploration of new programming for older children.
Closing
This was a difficult decision, made only after the Vestry carefully evaluated multiple scenarios with prayer. Our priority remains our responsibility to our members, our mission, and our faith community. While this is a difficult chapter, we face it with faith that God is guiding us toward a future where we can serve our community even more effectively.
We welcome your questions and feedback as we move through this transition together.
Best regards,