DANVERS — Starting this fall, Bishop Fenwick High School will partner with Saint Mary of the Annunciation School.
Officials provided few details on Wednesday, noting the details of the arrangement between the high school and the elementary and middle school are being worked out. They said more specific information about the merger will be made available later this month.
In a joint statement, the Danvers schools said the collaboration will allow for “curriculum resource sharing, and a streamlined approach for students to have a positive Catholic school educational experience.”
In a letter to parents, Kathy Mears, Superintendent of the Archdiocese of Boston Schools, said the schools will continue to operate under their existing names and locations to minimize confusion for parents seeking to enroll their children in the fall.
Leadership at both schools said they are excited for the change and are convinced it ensures a strong future for Bishop Fenwick and St. Mary.
The schools were founded in the 1950s by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. They share a similar mission of nurturing their students and challenging them academically. The principles of the order welcomes all students and shares the message of how to create a faith-based life.
“I am excited for these two schools to join forces and appreciate their collaborative spirit,” Mears said in a statement. “Catholic schools working together to ensure a strong future for our students is in the best interests of everyone.”
Fenwick, a grades 9-12 prep school with 565 students, calls itself the North Shore’s first co-educational Archdiocesan Catholic high school. It is located on a 59-acre campus. Tuition is $14,950.
St. Mary has 307 students in grades K-8. Tuition is $7,090.
Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Boston educate more than 36,000 students in 116 schools.
Livia Ramos, a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese, did not return a call seeking comment.
