By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The Archdiocese of Agana has officially relinquished its authority over Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School, which is now being recast as a charter school.
"With a certain mix of emotions, I extend congratulations and God’s blessings to the entire community of Mount Carmel Academy Charter School for success in becoming the newest charter school in Guam," said Father Romeo Convocar, apostolic administrator of the archdiocese.
Convocar issued a decree on Oct. 20 officially closing the 67-year-old Agat school as a Catholic institution.
"This decision is based on the successful application by the Mount Carmel Alumni & Endowment Foundation and Mount Carmel School to convert to a government-funded non-religious charter school, the decision of which was announced on Sept. 27, 2023," the decree said.
According to its website, Mount Carmel had an annual enrolment of between 350 and 500.
The Guam Academy Charter Schools Council unanimously approved the foundation's application, making Mount Carmel the fifth charter school on Guam.
"The archdiocese recognizes the expansive contributions of the foundation since October 2007, when then Archbishop of Guam, Anthony S. Apuron, assigned the authority over the administration and management of the School to the foundation for a period of five years, subsequently extended twice, to October 2013 and October 2018, and ended in October 2018 without renewal," the decree stated.
"Although they are no longer a part of our Catholic school system, a number of children of Mount Carmel Academy Charter School are members of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and other parishes throughout the island. With their families, they are still part of our parishes and we’ll always welcome them in our Catechism of the Catholic Church programs, masses and other activities," Convocar said.
Mount Carmel joins iLearn Academy Charter School, Guahan Academy Charter School, SIFA Learning Academy Charter School and Career Tech High Academy Charter School.
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