The school at San Xavier Mission del Bac on the Tohono O'odham Nation suspended operations Friday, the Roman Catholic Diocese of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ announced Monday.
San Xavier Mission School had no other option "due to a significant decrease in enrollment as well as lack of critical staffing to include a kindergarten teacher and principal," said a news release from Sheri Dahl, superintendent of schools for the diocese.Â
"We are working with parents and guardians to help place the 45 children in another school, especially if they wish to transfer to a Catholic school," the release said.
"San Xavier parish has a fiduciary responsibility to be a good steward of parish and school finances," the news release said. "The fiscal forecast supports a temporary suspension of operations with the goal of renovating, reorganizing, and reopening in the future. The planning process to lay the foundation for long-term success has begun."
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Dahl could not immediately be reached for additional comment.
The school was the first Catholic school in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, opened in November 1864, the mission's website says. Since 1940, it has been under the leadership of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity of Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
The school's philosophy was to connect Native American students to their heritage, languages and traditions, while imparting the Catholic teachings that undergird the next-door mission church, which was founded in 1692.
It served students through grade 8 as part of the diocese's system of schools.
The school celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2014.Â
Photos: San Xavier Mission in 1940 and 2015

Historic American Buildings Survey, Donald W. Dickensheets, Photographer. April 10, 1940 GENERAL VIEW MAIN CHURCH (SOUTHWEST ELEVATION). - San Xavier del Bac Mission. Photos from Survey HABS AZ-13

GENERAL VIEW MAIN CHURCH (SOUTHWEST ELEVATION). - San Xavier del Bac Mission, April 22, 2015. Photo by A.E. Araiza/ ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

Historic American Buildings Survey, Donald W. Dickensheets, Photographer. March 27, 1940. NORTH ARCH TO SCHOOLYARD (NORTH ELEVATION). - San Xavier del Bac Mission. Photos from Survey HABS AZ-13

NORTH ARCH TO SCHOOLYARD (NORTH ELEVATION). - San Xavier del Bac Mission, Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Photo by A.E. Araiza/ ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

Historic American Buildings Survey, Donald W. Dickensheets, Photographer. April 10, 1940. EAST TOWER THROUGH ARCH. (SOUTH ELEVATION OF CHURCH). - San Xavier del Bac Mission. Photos from Survey HABS AZ-13

EAST TOWER THROUGH ARCH. (SOUTH ELEVATION OF CHURCH). - San Xavier del Bac Mission, April 22, 2015. Photo by A.E. Araiza/ ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

Historic American Buildings Survey, Donald W. Dickensheets, Photographer. March 27, 1940. LAST REMAINING ORIGINAL URN. EAST TOWER WALL. (NORTHWEST ELEVATION). - San Xavier del Bac Mission. Photos from Survey HABS AZ-13

LAST REMAINING ORIGINAL URN. EAST TOWER WALL. (NORTHWEST ELEVATION). - San Xavier del Bac Mission, Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Photo by A.E. Araiza/ ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

Historic American Buildings Survey, Donald W. Dickensheets, Photographer. April 10, 1940. GENERAL VIEW - CHURCH AND PATIO (NORTHEAST ELEVATION). - San Xavier del Bac Mission. Photos from Survey HABS AZ-13

GENERAL VIEW - CHURCH AND PATIO (NORTHEAST ELEVATION). - San Xavier del Bac Mission, April 22, 2015. Photo by A.E. Araiza/ ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

Historic American Buildings Survey Frederick D. Nichols, Photographer January 1938 DISTANT VIEW LOOKING NORTH. - San Xavier del Bac Mission. Photos from Survey HABS AZ-13

DISTANT VIEW LOOKING NORTH. - San Xavier del Bac Mission, Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Photo by A.E. Araiza/ ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

Historic American Buildings Survey, Donald W. Dickensheets, Photographer. March 27, 1940. LANTERN OVER SACRISTY (NORTHEAST ELEVATION). - San Xavier del Bac Mission. Photos from Survey HABS AZ-13

LANTERN OVER SACRISTY (NORTHEAST ELEVATION). - San Xavier del Bac Mission, April 22, 2015. Photo by A.E. Araiza/ ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

Historic American Buildings Survey, Donald W. Dickensheets, Photographer. March 29, 1940 NAVE OF CHURCH, LOOKING TOWARD HIGH ALTAR - San Xavier del Bac Mission. Photos from Survey HABS AZ-13

NAVE OF CHURCH, LOOKING TOWARD HIGH ALTAR - San Xavier del Bac Mission, Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Photo by A.E. Araiza/ ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

Historic American Buildings Survey, Donald W. Dickensheets, Photographer. April 23, 1940. ANNUNCIATION - San Xavier del Bac Mission. Photos from Survey HABS AZ-13

ANNUNCIATION - San Xavier del Bac Mission, April 22, 2015. Photo by A.E. Araiza/ ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
Have any questions or news tips about K-12 education in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥? Contact reporter Genesis Lara at glara@tucson.com