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NATCHEZ — Area private schools will remain closed at least through the end of next week, March 23-27, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, school officials said.

Adams County Christian School headmaster David King issued a statement on Wednesday regarding the closure.

Cathedral School and Holy Family Early Learning Center will also be closed for at least another week.

Superintendent of Education for the Diocese of Jackson Catherine Cook announced the decision to keep schools closed March 23-27 in an email to parents.

“We continue to monitor the COVID-19 progression in our state and will determine on a week-by-week basis if the schools/centers will be able to reopen the following week,” Cook said. “Catholic School principals will communicate to you how remote learning will be implemented for your children.”

King said pre kindergarten through high school students are expected to begin a distance-learning program.

“As we continue through these uncertain times, let me assure you that the safety, health and well-being of your students are our utmost priority along with the advancement of their educational needs,” King said. “… This is not considered another extension of Spring Break, and we are expecting our parents/guardians and students to partner with us as we begin a distance-learning program for preschool, elementary, middle and high school students beginning Monday, March 23. All grades will continue to be posted to RenWeb.”

For preschool and elementary at ACCS, information packets would be available for pick-up at the school from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday, March 20, with instructions for students to complete. Those who are unable to pick up the packets should contact preschool director Kim Bass at kimbass@adamschristian.org or elementary principal Angela Cotten at angelacotten@adamschristian.org as soon as possible.

Middle and high school students will begin a distance-learning program via Google Classroom and are expected to log in at 8 a.m. Monday and should contact Vice Principal Cricket Daugherty with questions or concerns at cfdaugherty@adamschristian.org.

King advised that families of students who have not responded would be individually contacted to advance the learning process from home.