DANVILLE, Va. – A private school in Danville that has been in operation for the past twelve years has closed its doors. Epiphany Episcopal School (EES) will not reopen in the fall.

In a letter from the school’s board of trustees, chairman Cord Cothren blames declining enrollment and “the many griefs of this Covid-19 era.”

The board met May 8 and voted unanimously to close the school, effective May 22, 2020. Teachers were informed of the decision on Monday.

In a letter to parents, Cothren said the board “deeply regrets having to take this action, but we believe we have a responsibility to our students, teachers, and the church not to compromise their futures in this uncertain time.” The letter goes on to say that “despite valiant efforts on all parts, the school has suffered from declining enrollment, financial instability, and uncertainty about continued quality instruction amid the Covid-19 outbreak,” adding that EES “is no longer sustainable.”

The decision affects not only the students but the school’s dean and four teachers. The board said it will work with teachers in finding new jobs and with parents as students transition to other schools.

Epiphany Episcopal School opened in 2008 and provided pre-school through eighth grade instruction.