Students find locked doors at Sawyer School

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Students showed up for class at the Sawyer School on Hartford Avenue on Wednesday to find it closed.

Some students say they have received a message from the career training school over the weekend about the closure, but others say they have not.

“They called me last week, they told me to be here today and now the doors are locked,” said Sawyer School student Donna King.

Student Alexandra Cotta said she received a message from the school.

“She told me the school is permanently closed because they filed for bankruptcy,” she said.

The letter that some students received read: "We regret to inform you that classes scheduled to resume in January have been permanently suspended. The school will be working with the appropriate agencies to make your records available to you, or to another institution if you choose to continue your education. You will receive additional information on what you will need to do to obtain your transcripts."

302 students were affected by the closing of the $20,000-a-year school. Some students were in the last couple of weeks of programs, such as the medical assistant program, when the school closed down.

The Rhode Island Office of Higher Education says they are investigating the Sawyer School. They say they had no indication of any financial difficulties in their annual review of the school. The office is currently meeting with students to find alternative educational locations. 

Eyewitness News has contacted all five Sawyer School locations and so far, the school has not responded to calls.

UPDATE: Michael Trainor, a representative with the Rhode Island Department of Higher Education, says a hotline will open Thursday for more information. If you are one of the many students affected, call 401-277-5018.