Before she catches senioritis, Riley Schuffert has to find a school other than the one she has called her home since third grade.

Riley's school — Evangel Heights Christian Academy, at 120 Beale Road in Sarver — closed its doors in July after 29 years.

“It'll be extremely different,” said Riley, 17, who will be a senior. “That school was like my second family, a second home. It was the place I found comfort and friendships.”

Riley, who has attended Evangel Heights Church since she was 4 years old, is among the students in search of a new school.

Over the past three years, the school's enrollment has declined, said Dan Corfield, lead pastor of Evangel Heights Church, which owned the multidenominational model school.

“The situation is sad for us. The school has been a contributor to the community for many years,” Corfield said. “If I could, I would reach my arms out and give everyone a hug.”

A plan was discussed to offer online Christian education at the high school level, he said. After teacher turnover at the end of the school year, Corfield intended to set up the cyber model with the educators who were left in an effort to save money and fund grades one through five.

However, the financial offset would not have been enough, he said.

Enrollment was at 210 students when Corfield arrived at the school four years ago, he said.

Last year, enrollment was 154 students. For the upcoming school year, enrollment was at 122 students.

Part of the decline was due to senior classes being larger than the incoming number of students, he said.

In an attempt to save the school, fundraisers included a 5K run, a gala dinner and silent auction.

“Despite volunteers who were committed and did a fantastic job ... we just weren't able to reach the goals we needed to reach,” he said.

Corfield said his three children were affected by the closure.

“It was a decision I was probably in denial about. I didn't want to see it happen. I knew people would be affected ... people (who) I cared about, people (who) I pray for, people I wanted nothing but the best for. I knew that was on the table,” he said.

He said the school was more than just a building.

“You mourn the loss of the laughter in the hallways, you mourn the loss of not seeing kids play dodge ball in the gym, you mourn the loss of the different activities that happened around here all the time,” he said. “Your routine is different now.”

Cornfield said the school produced productive citizens who took part in outreach and mission trips.

“At the end of the day, I think the school has nothing to be ashamed of, its candle was bright and did great things in the community,” he said. “Endings are painful, they're not fun, but they happen.”

The day care — for children, ages 6 weeks to school-age — and kindergarten programs will continue, he said, adding that there are plans to expand.

“The building has empty rooms right now, but we hope to fill them with little ones,” he said.

Families affected by the closure can call the school at 724-295-9199 or church at 724-295-9000.

“I'm thankful for all the teachers and volunteers who did put their blood, sweat, tears and prayers into Evangel Heights Christian Academy because that's what made it great and still makes it special to people now,” Corfield said. “Hopefully, it will be a healing for them as they move forward.”

Riley said she plans to attend cyber school through the Leechburg Area School District, graduate early and begin college courses.

Despite the closure, Riley said she wants to keep in touch with her classmates.

“I hope the class and family we built there stay together and change lives, even if it's not with Evangel Heights,” she said.