Alumnae Bid Farewell to Beloved 62-Year-Old School

Hundreds of alumnae and staff gathered on Saturday for a final mass to bid farewell to the Holy Name of Mary College School building in Mississauga. The Catholic high school, established in 1964, closed in June of 2026 owing to low enrollment numbers. Its owners, the Felician Sisters of North America, are currently deliberating the future of the 62-year-old structure.

Organized by former students and teachers, the event in the school's chapel served as a poignant reflection on the institution's impact. "It was a little sad because it occurred to me, especially in the last song, that it's our last time ever singing in the Chapel," shared 1989 graduate Isabelle Schade Lyons.

The private all-girls school, originally known as Holy Name of Mary High School, became publicly funded in the 1980s before the Felician Sisters reopened it as a college school after a lease expired in 2008. Students are hopeful that the school board or the City of Mississauga might acquire the property to preserve it for community benefit, perhaps as a senior living facility or community center.

While the adjacent convent received a heritage designation in June 2026, the school building was not included. The Felician Sisters have indicated that various organizations have expressed interest in the property, and they are committed to finding a solution that aligns with their mission and the building's legacy. Rising operational costs and shifts in independent education contributed to the closure, with the building requiring significant upgrades.