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Letters to the Editor: Archdiocese justified in closing two Philly high schools
Joseph P. McFadden
Issue date: 10/28/09 Section: Opinion
To the Editor:
I am compelled to respond in an effort to correct the inaccuracies in The Hawk editorial "Schools out Forever" in the Oct. 14 edition. The editorial falsely portrayed what was a difficult and comprehensively-studied decision by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to close Cardinal Dougherty High School and Northeast Catholic High School for Boys.
Closing Cardinal Dougherty and Northeast Catholic is in no way connected to the construction of the new high school, Pope John Paul II High School. The Archdiocese is closing two suburban schools, Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School in Norristown, Montgomery County, and St. Pius X High School in Pottstown, Montgomery County to form the new Pope John Paul II High School. The construction of Pope John Paul II High School has been financed through a 30-year mortgage, which will be offset in part by tuition costs for attending the new high school.
The decision to close Cardinal Dougherty and Northeast Catholic is largely due to a steady decline in enrollment at both schools. Over the last ten years Cardinal Dougherty's enrollment has declined by more than 43 percent and is projected to drop by an additional 34 percent over the next three years. Cardinal Dougherty's current enrollment of 641 students falls well short of the rated capacity of more than 2,000 students. In 1965, the school's peak enrollment reached 5,944 students. Northeast Catholic's enrollment has dropped by more than 29 percent in the last ten years and is expected to drop by an additional 24 percent over the next three years. Northeast Catholic was built in 1926. In 1953, enrollment at North peaked at 4,410 students, but currently enrolls just 551 students in a building with a rated capacity for 1,700 students.
Without action, declining enrollment would compromise the overall quality of the education offered at Cardinal Dougherty and Northeast Catholic, as well as the entire Archdiocesan secondary school system. The projected enrollment decline also would force us to raise the tuition to an unrealistic level.
The editorial also failed to recognize that a high percentage of students at both of these schools are receiving an outstanding education because of the tuition assistance programs offered to them. Our number one priority has been, and always will be, to offer a superior spiritual and academic environment for our students.
Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
I am compelled to respond in an effort to correct the inaccuracies in The Hawk editorial "Schools out Forever" in the Oct. 14 edition. The editorial falsely portrayed what was a difficult and comprehensively-studied decision by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to close Cardinal Dougherty High School and Northeast Catholic High School for Boys.
Closing Cardinal Dougherty and Northeast Catholic is in no way connected to the construction of the new high school, Pope John Paul II High School. The Archdiocese is closing two suburban schools, Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School in Norristown, Montgomery County, and St. Pius X High School in Pottstown, Montgomery County to form the new Pope John Paul II High School. The construction of Pope John Paul II High School has been financed through a 30-year mortgage, which will be offset in part by tuition costs for attending the new high school.
The decision to close Cardinal Dougherty and Northeast Catholic is largely due to a steady decline in enrollment at both schools. Over the last ten years Cardinal Dougherty's enrollment has declined by more than 43 percent and is projected to drop by an additional 34 percent over the next three years. Cardinal Dougherty's current enrollment of 641 students falls well short of the rated capacity of more than 2,000 students. In 1965, the school's peak enrollment reached 5,944 students. Northeast Catholic's enrollment has dropped by more than 29 percent in the last ten years and is expected to drop by an additional 24 percent over the next three years. Northeast Catholic was built in 1926. In 1953, enrollment at North peaked at 4,410 students, but currently enrolls just 551 students in a building with a rated capacity for 1,700 students.
Without action, declining enrollment would compromise the overall quality of the education offered at Cardinal Dougherty and Northeast Catholic, as well as the entire Archdiocesan secondary school system. The projected enrollment decline also would force us to raise the tuition to an unrealistic level.
The editorial also failed to recognize that a high percentage of students at both of these schools are receiving an outstanding education because of the tuition assistance programs offered to them. Our number one priority has been, and always will be, to offer a superior spiritual and academic environment for our students.
Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Matthew Coyle
posted 11/01/09 @ 11:13 PM EST
Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden'
The Archdiocese is vacating the lower northeast of Philadelphia in one fell swoop. The effect of this will be felt for generations to come. (Continued…)
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