HANCOCK - Citing falling enrollment and unsustainable expenses, The Family Foundation School of Hancock - now known as Allynwood Academy - will be closing its doors officially today.

“The news [that it's closing] is correct,” Michael Argiros, the son of The Family Foundation School's founders Tony and Betty Argiros, said Wednesday. “Our facility is geared for 200 students and we hit a low point of 53 students.

“We had a big spike in enrollment in January and February,” Argiros said. “But it turned out that it was not a sustainable increase.

“In spite of all of our efforts, including significant program changes [and a recent name change to Allynwood Academy] we will be closing,” Argiros said.

Most of the staff will be laid off.

“A lot of highly-skilled, well-trained staff will be looking for work,” Argiros said.

Many students are transitioning to other schools. A skeletal staff of teachers and counselors will teach those students who were scheduled to graduate in December.

Sid Parham, chair of the School's leadership team, said, “This was purely a financial decision. The school is serving the students well and if we can resolve our current financial situation, we expect to carry on.”

Geared toward youth at risk, The Family Foundation School taught teenage children of the high school age and was accredited by the State of New York to award diplomas, thanks to the efforts of the late Robin Ducey, who was the school's first principal.

Chartered for grades 6-12, the school dealt mainly with 9-12 students.

“We also offered dual credit courses through the community college in Binghamton,” Argiros said.

At one point enrollment soared to 280 students and The Family School employed more than 70 staff.

The Family School was a tuition based, full-time residential facility with a year costing nearly $70,000, according to Argiros.

But Argiros said the school was especially hard hit by the financial crisis of 2008 and beyond, with enrollment steadily dropping the past six years.

“My parents started the school in 1977 by basically taking people into their house,” Michael said. “In 1987 we received our official school charter.”

The Family School was a member of the Western Sullivan League in many sports and also continued with these programs when that sports league was merged into the Orange County League.

Noted for discipline and the superior behavior of its students, The Family School earned many awards for sportsmanship as well as earning several league championships in soccer as well as basketball. Dozens of trophies fill the trophy case in the main foyer, a tribute to the band and choral awards the students earned at competitions throughout the United States and Canada.

Argiros said the property's future, which is located just off of Route 97, about six miles north of the Sullivan County border, is uncertain at this time.

The property consists of 133 acres with a large pond guarded by a weeping willow. There are also 92,000 square feet of space in the nine buildings, which houses dormitories, a cafeteria, gymnasium, offices, classrooms and a stage. There are also five staff houses.

Throughout the last three decades hundreds of troubled students have come through the school, which was based on the principles embodied in the 12 Steps of the AA Program.

The Family Foundation School's students often had substance abuse issues and might also have such issues as depression, ADHD or Oppositional Defiance.

The late Father Anthony Moore, O.F.M., was also a big inspiration to many students during the early years of the school, Argiros said.

“What is important is our mission,” Argiros said. “We can carry it forward in many ways.”