Helias Catholic High School will withdraw from the Archdiocesan Athletic Association conference for the 2018-19 school year, according to a news release from the school.
"We were excited to join this conference back in the fall of 2016, but this spring we realized it would be difficult to continue with membership," Helias President the Rev. Stephen Jones in the news release. "We definitely want to maintain great relationships with all the faith-based schools in the conference and have asked them to keep us on their schedules for next year."
Helias announced in December 2016 it would become the 13th member of the AAA Conference, which previously consisted of St. Louis-area Catholic and private schools, joining full time for all sports in the 2018-19 season. At the time, then-Athletic Director Brad Dempsey noted the opportunities to compete for a conference championship and to encourage stability of schedule in all sports were advantages to joining the conference.
The school's news release notes the decision was made "after a thorough review of academic and faith time lost and the financial costs to the school."
"Helias will continue with strong traditions of faith, academics, athletics and activities for all our students and will be moving forward with extra-curricular and co-curricular activities and opportunities which benefit the entire school community," the release states.