HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Dozens of local families are facing a dilemma just days before Christmas where to send their children for an education after their school abruptly closed.
For the Burkes, the closure of their son's school is the last thing they would've expected to happen just days before Christmas. Now, it's the only thing on their minds heading into the new year.
9-year-old Jacob Burke of Hazleton loves playing with legos which are on his Christmas wish list. But since Friday, there's been something he wants even more, a new school.
Immanuel Christian School notified families this past Friday it shut its doors immediately.
Jacob's mom, Krystle, says she's scared for him, "I don't know what I am going to do."
For now, Krystle says she will home-school Jacob until she can figure out a better plan and a good fit for him.
"Because I wouldn't want to put him in the middle of a school going into a classroom and it's like what am I doing Mom? At least if he's at school online we can log in together and figure this out."
The non-profit Immanuel Christian School charged $12,000 a year in tuition. Its website says it had 160 students enrolled
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School officials tell 28/22 News they are in the process of helping families find another school.
A few options include MMI Prep in Freeland; the 6-12 grade school charges nearly $16,000 for tuition. Marian Catholic High School for 9th through 12 graders charges $7,100.
Another option is public school with the Hazleton area school district.
For Jacob's family, public school is the only likely option, except for one thing.
"He was in the Hazleton area school district from kindergarten through first grade and he was bullied," Krystle says.
"In my heart, it didn't feel like they were being nice to me," says Jacob.
That was something he says he didn't have to worry about at ICS.
In the meantime, Jacob is happy knowing he has this to hold onto, a piece of paper signed by all of his friends on their final day together.
Immanuel Christian School employed more than two dozen staff members who are now out of work.
