In a major victory for education and community advocacy, New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced that Preston High School, a 75-year-old all-girls Catholic institution in the Bronx, will remain open for decades to come thanks to a groundbreaking agreement brokered by her office.

The announcement follows a public outcry over the proposed closure of the school, which had been owned by the Sisters of the Divine Compassion since 1947.

Citing financial hardship, the Sisters had planned to shut down operations and sell the property by the end of the 2025 academic year.

But after a public hearing hosted by Attorney General James on April 8, which drew passionate testimonies from students, parents, educators, alumni, and elected officials, a resolution has been reached.

“Preston High School is a pillar of the Bronx community that has educated generations of young women and today I am proud to announce that the school will stay open for years to come,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Today’s announcement would not have been possible without the relentless advocacy and leadership of students, teachers, parents, alumni, and elected officials. Preston High School raises young women to become strong leaders, and I am thrilled that many more generations will benefit from this treasured school.”

Under the new agreement, the Bally’s Foundation of North America, a nonprofit organization, has purchased the school property from the Sisters of the Divine Compassion for $8.5 million. Bally’s will lease the property to Preston High School for just $1 per year for the next 25 years, with an option to renew the lease in five-year intervals thereafter.

The agreement also gives the school the right to purchase the property in the future, including a right of first refusal should Bally’s decide to sell.

Additionally, the Bally’s Foundation has pledged up to $1 million in capital improvements for the school and will cover up to $600,000 in legal and closing costs associated with the transaction.

The Sisters of the Divine Compassion have also agreed to significant reforms in school governance, including:

Working with Preston High School to establish it as an independent Catholic school with approval from the Archdiocese of New York

Creating an independent board of trustees, with appointments subject to approval by the Attorney General’s Office; and

Relinquishing control of the board, retaining only one seat until full independence is achieved.

The agreement has been widely praised by local leaders and members of the Preston community.

“From the very beginning, when families and community members voiced their concerns about the possible closure of Preston High School, I made it a priority to listen and support them,” said Senator Nathalia Fernandez. “I’m truly grateful that Attorney General Letitia James took our concerns seriously and acted swiftly, resulting in an agreement to keep Preston open for years to come.”

Assemblymember Michael Benedetto hailed the news as a triumph: “This is a tremendous victory for the students, families, and the entire Throggs Neck community. I want to sincerely thank Attorney General Letitia James and her team for their steadfast commitment to protecting our schools and standing with Preston students during this critical moment.”

City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias, a proud Preston alumna, added: “This outcome is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we lead with love, persistence, and unity. We didn’t just preserve a beloved institution – we protected a legacy.”

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson emphasized the broader impact: “This outcome is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together. Thank you to everyone who fought tirelessly to preserve this institution. This is more than just a win for Preston — it’s a win for the Bronx and for every young person who dreams of a bright future.”

This historic resolution was made possible through the efforts of multiple divisions within the Attorney General’s Office, including the Charities Bureau and the Intergovernmental Affairs team, who worked tirelessly to gather input and forge a sustainable path forward for the school.