NDG’s Villa Maria School’s future remains uncertain

The private high school Villa Maria in Montreal's NDG neighbourhood. (Villa Maria)

The future of Villa Maria School in Montreal’s NDG neighbourhood is still uncertain.

The congregation that owns the land where the college is located wants to sell, but it’s not clear if the school will remain or move somewhere else.

Villa Maria, a private school that’s operated for more than 170 years, sits on land owned by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame.

In recent years, however, there’s been a lot of concern for the school’s future because the nuns want to sell.

“It would be a sad day to see a Villa Maria close in NDG, and we hope to avoid that,” said NDG MNA Desiree McGraw.

For years, parents and the local community have fought to keep the future of Villa Maria from moving, and the school’s future could be determined in the next few months.

The school’s board says it will table recommendations to the congregation by late June.

“The mandate that was given to the board is to find a sustainable, long term vision for the school, so that’s what we have in mind,” said board member Suzanne Gouin.

Gouin hopes for a final decision by the start of the upcoming school year. In the meantime, she is asking people to be patient.

“We’re working diligently, and every rock is turned so that we can look at all the options,” she said. “Please be a little bit more patient.”

In a statement to CTV News, the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame said, “The directors are carrying out their mandate with seriousness and diligence, and the analysis is ongoing.

“The congregation expects to receive a report from the board of directors in September and to review it,” the sisters said. “It is too early at this time to discuss the future of the college’s location.”

For its part, Villa Maria School told CTV News that it is collaborating with the board of directors.

“To identify a sustainable solution that will secure the long term future of the institution,” the school said. ”While the process is ongoing, the work is progressing well, and we are encouraged by the direction it is taking.”

McGraw said Villa Maria is being set up for failure.

Previously, the congregation said it wanted to sell only after the school’s lease ends in 2030.

“It de facto means that Villa Maria, if it’s in a position to make a bid in 2030, it will have already wound down here,” said McGraw.

McGraw plans to deposit a petition next week at the national assembly to push for Villa Maria to remain where it’s been for nearly two centuries.