St. Joseph Academy on Tuesday announced it has moved toward officially opening the high school in September.
“SJA thanks the students and parents who have enrolled to date and who have assisted in the transition,” the academy said in a news release. “Your faith and loyalty have been inspirational.”
According to the release, the Hammonton Board of Education intends to lease the Vine Street high school building.
SJA will participate in an upcoming bid for the lease.
St. Joseph Academy will be a kindergarten-to-12th grade school taking the place of St. Joseph High and Elementary schools.
Due in part to decreasing enrollment, the Diocese of Camden announced in April it would close both schools June 30. St. Joe students, faculty, parents and alumni started the campaign St. Joe Strong to raise money in an attempt to save them. The group said it has raised nearly $1 million in operating funds.
The diocese in June rejected a plan to keep the schools open. St. Joe Strong said the diocese also rejected its offer to buy the St. Joe elementary school building on Third Street and the high school athletic fields on Wood Street in Hammonton.
