Holy Family School, a community cornerstone in McKinney, will close for the year due to childcare challenges and declining enrollment.
MCKINNEY, Texas — The eastside of McKinney has weathered many changes — but the latest is hitting hard for generations who’ve called Holy Family School a cornerstone of their community.
“I was really shocked,” said Monica Escamilla, whose family has attended the Christian-based early education school for three generations.
Parents were notified this week that Holy Family will close for the upcoming school year, leaving many in disbelief.
Kim Hughes, whose granddaughter is enrolled, said, “This school has been here way too long for this to happen. It’s a pillar in our community.”
Holy Family’s roots go beyond education — it’s built on sacred ground, formerly home to the only all-Black school in Collin County, also known as Doty High School.
“They started it with the intention of serving the migrant farm worker community,” added Maegan Escamilla.
For 75 years, the school has supported underserved families with affordable daycare and early learning. But last week, parents received a letter from the school’s board outlining why it must close.
“Ongoing challenges in the childcare market, the need for major campus updates, and a steady decline in enrollment,” the letter read.
Some, like Silvia, who works part-time at Holy Family, only found out a day earlier than the rest of the community.
“I wish there was more that I could do, but my hands are tied,” she said.
The announcement has left parents frustrated — not just at the decision, but at how it was communicated.
“Coming to families less than a month out — they’ve known this was going on,” Hughes pointed out.
Others believe it’s not too late.
“But I don’t think it’s unfixable. Like, ask us for help!” said Monica and Maegan. “We didn’t know it was an issue.”
The school announced on social media that there is a donation page to help with expenses.
WFAA reached out to the board multiple times but received no response as of publication. The letter did say there’s hope: a capital campaign is planned, with a potential reopening in fall 2026. A community feedback meeting is scheduled for the near future.
The school’s last day is Aug. 11.