Video with this article. Walking toward the Notre Dame de Lourdes School on a Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., the sound of young voices carried through the school’s open windows. The kids were at some sort of lesson, though it was hard to tell with all the laughter if it was solely academic.

Walking toward the Notre Dame de Lourdes School on a Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., the sound of young voices carried through the school’s open windows. The kids were at some sort of lesson, though it was hard to tell with all the laughter if it was solely academic.
Seconds later, the church bells chimed and drowned out the voices. But, it was almost recess, and there would be nothing to muffle the clamor of the children at play.
This has been the happy noise of the Flint neighborhood for some 120 years. It will all come to an end when the Notre Dame School closes for good on June 16.
“I don’t think I have any words for the last day,” said Notre Dame Principal E. Christopher Myron. The kids “love the school,” he said. “It’s a second family to them. It’s difficult.”
Everyone understands in their heads why the school is closing, along with the St. Anne School (after 139 years), and it’s all about numbers: a drop in student population, a decline in local Catholic residents, economics, maintenance costs to maintain the old buildings.
Enrollment in both French-Canadian established schools has plummeted through the years. St. Anne School has gone from 432 students in 2001 to 206 this school year. At Notre Dame, it’s decreased from 201 to 149. Just eight students graduated from Notre Dame this year. At St. Anne, it was 22.
But, figures never tend to make the heart any lighter.
One eighth-grade Notre Dame student, Samantha Botelho, who’s attended Notre Dame since pre-kindergarden, said future generations will “miss out.”
Lindsay Mello has also spent her entire school career to this point as a Notre Dame student.
“It’s kind of all I know,” Mello said. “It’s kind of sad.”
“It just doesn’t feel like it’s closing,” said Hailey Cambra.
The Notre Dame de Lourdes School was established in 1876 at the corner of Ashton and Bassett streets. Its present school at 34 St. Joseph St. opened in 1890. In 1920, enrollment was at its highest: 1,616 students.
Just recently, renovations were made at both schools. In 2001, St. Anne School got new windows at a cost of about $500,000. In 2005 and 2006, a new playground was created and the cafeteria and gymnasium were updated. Also, a chapel was established on the first floor for students who wanted to pray.
The St. Anne School, 240 Forest St., is the largest Catholic grammar school in the city. It opened in 1925 with 1,559 students, but the history of the school dates to the late 1800′s when classes were held in the church basement, back when St. Anne’s Church was located on Hunter Street.
The news that both schools would close came in January. The decision followed a study done by an ad hoc committee that evaluated the eight Catholic schools in the city to improve them individually and as a whole. The group recommended that two of the schools close.
Students of both schools are being accepted into the city’s other six Catholic elementary schools — Espirito Santo School, 143 Everett St.; Holy Name School, 850 Pierce St.; Holy Trinity School, 64 Lamphor St.; St. Michael School, 209 Essex St.; Sts. Peter and Paul School, 240 Dover St.; and St. Stanislaus School, 37 Rockland St.
Myron said nearly all of the Notre Dame students will transfer to another Catholic school — about 109. Another 24 will go to public school, and a remaining few are undecided.
At St. Anne School, all but about 10 percent of the student body — 20 of some 200 kids — will attend other Catholic schools in the city.
The closure of the two schools will also affect teachers and staff.
Myron next year will serve as the vice president of academics at Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton.
Albert Vaillancourt has been teaching at Notre Dame for 35 years. He said he feels “disappointment” when he thinks of leaving. In September, he’ll be teaching at St. Peter & Paul School.
Teacher Sherri Swainamer, will become the principal of St. Joseph’s — St. Therese in New Bedford next school year.
Swainamer said the closing of Notre Dame is difficult for all.
“It’s very sad,” Swainamer said. “It’s a sense of community here. It’s a family that’s being torn apart.”

As for what will happen to the old school buildings, there has been no definitive decisions. George A. Milot, diocesan superintendent of schools, said their fate rests with the churches that own them. Father Marc H. Bergeron, pastor of St. Anne’s Church said St. Anne’s Hospital is negotiating with the church to take over the school building. Fr. Richard Chretien, pastor of Notre Dame Church, could not be reached to learn about the status of that school building.
Myron expressed hope for the future of the city’s remaining Catholic schools.
“It’s just ... a sign of the times,” Myron said. “It’s where we’re at. The ones that remain can find new ways. The future is definitely positive.”

E-mail Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com.