ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – After nearly eight decades of educating students in Southwest Georgia, St. Teresa‘s Catholic School in Albany has officially closed its doors.

On Friday, May 16, 2025, the school celebrated its final graduating class.

Founded in 1945, St. Teresa‘s began with 31 students in grades kindergarten through sixth. Over the years, it grew to serve grades K–12 and developed into a modern campus featuring a STEM lab, media center and computer science lab.

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The school has long been a cornerstone of Albany’s faith-based education, and the May 16 graduation ceremony was both a celebration of achievement and a moment of reflection for the school community.

“St. Teresa‘s has struggled with human and financial resources since the COVID pandemic,” said Father Raymond Levreault, Pastor of St. Teresa‘s Catholic Church. “Across Albany, we’ve seen both a decrease in enrollments and an increase in the number of families who cannot afford full tuition. Even within our Catholic faith community, there has been a significant decrease in the number of families who choose St. Teresa‘s for their children.”

Teacher Tye Beck described the closing as surreal.

“It’s kind of, like, bittersweet because you’re treasuring the students you’re teaching, but it’s kind of sad at the same time because the underclassmen will not be graduating. They will have to find another school to attend,” Beck said.

Students have to find new schools, and teachers have to find new jobs. Tye Beck will start a new position in the fall, but the values that were applied at St. Teresa’s is what he said he’ll miss the most.

“When people, teachers, had issues, staff would pray,” Beck said. “I never had that in a public school. That made a big difference.”

The three graduating seniors, Juan Rodraguiz, Andy Tran and Wil Titorenko all said they are glad they can end their high school journey at the school they love and with the people who have impacted them the most.

“These three years have been incredible for me. I met these great friends. We did it, and now we’re here,” Rodraguiz said.

“Seeing the school close. It’s crazy,” Andy Tran said.

“It’s definitely been a rollercoaster of emotions, but I think as a class we’ve definitely fulfilled the legacy of what it means to be a Crusader,” Wil Titorenko said.

Families of these graduates said they’re grateful for Saint Teresa’s as well.

“Because of the great training and education he received here, Sebastian has been prepared for life with such a good background,” Juan Sebastian’s father said.

The school’s high school director, Terry McKay, has taught thousands of students, and he said he wants this class to be proud of this moment.

“I want them to take the work ethic that they have gained and earned and worked for,” McKay said.

This moment may be bittersweet, but St. Teresa’s Catholic School’s mark on this community will always be remembered.

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