Advertisement
December 15, 2025
Share this article:
Founded in 1964 by the Felician Sisters of North America, Holy Name of Mary College School (HNMCS) has empowered thousands of girls to achieve academic excellence and embrace lifelong learning rooted in Catholic values.
Originally, this Mississauga-based institution was known as Holy Mary School and was largely operated by nuns in its early years. It also became a member of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board. In 2008, it was reopened as HNMCS, an independent Grades 5-12 academy supported by St. Michael’s College School, the renowned all-boys' Catholic school in midtown Toronto.
However, it was announced recently that Holy Name of Mary College School will close at the end of the academic year, in June 2026, bringing its long history to a close.
In a statement provided to The Catholic Register, HNMCS board chair Michael Kendrick explained the decision.
“Unfortunately, the difficult decision has been made to close the school effective June 30, 2026, due to ongoing fiscal and enrolment challenges. Families, faculty and staff have been informed of the decision directly, and the remainder of the academic school year will continue uninterrupted.”
The local news outlet Insauga.com gained a copy of the notice to the school community document Kendrick issued to all HNMCS stakeholders. He revealed that school registrations have dropped 39 per cent over the past seven years despite approaches to attract and retain students.
“After extensive analysis of every possible option, plan and strategic approach, the Provincial Council of the Felician Sisters of North America concluded that none were financially or operationally sustainable,” stated Kendrick in his correspondence to the school community.
Tuition to attend in 2025-26 is $28,500.
At one point, the demand to attend was so high because of the high-performance standards that there was a cap instituted, and later a lottery system for student enrolment was put into effect.
Regarding the history of HNMCS, Kendrick told the Register “we are profoundly grateful for the many students, families, faculty, staff and members of the school community who have helped Holy Name of Mary College School play a formative role in the lives of so many young women.” There is “hope this final year will also serve to honour and celebrate the legacy of our school community.”
An anonymous member of the school community told Insauga.com that though “we have heard rumours for some time, we’re still shocked at the news. We’re all upset by this.”
Parents and other members of the school community have engaged in recent discussions to formulate potential pathways to saving the school.
(Amundson is a staff writer for The Catholic Register.)
Share this article:
Join the conversation and have your say: submit a letter to the Editor. Letters should be brief and must include full name, address and phone number (street and phone number will not be published). Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
Register file photo
