A plan was proposed Tuesday by the Diocese to close 11 Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens due to a marked decrease in enrollment.

The plan suggested shutting down 11 schools, merging nine others and opening three new schools in locations that may better serve communities. Among those schools on the chopping block is Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bay Ridge, which the Diocese claims has seen a decrease in enrollment. According to Diocese records, the 11 schools chosen to close are operating at 85 percent capacity.

Students who attend Our Lady of Perpetual Help say they, along with their parents and staff members, will fight the closure.

?Why would you want to close it down, it's such a good school,? Stephen Reilly, a sixth-grader, says. ?There's so much history here, so many people have come through here.?

The Diocese will make all final decisions about the restructuring of the school system before enrollment for the next academic year begins on Feb. 23..