Rachel Evans
North Catholic High School in Philadelphia, which opened in 1926, is no longer open. The school was considered the world's largest Catholic high school for boys at one point, and it had a rich history of academic and athletic achievements. However, in 2009, Cardinal Justin Rigali announced that the school would close at the end of the 2009-2010 school year due to declining enrollment. Despite the closure, the alumni community remains strong, and they continue to support scholarships and tuition assistance for students attending Catholic schools.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status | Closed |
| Year of Closure | 2010 |
| Reason for Closure | Drop in enrollment |
| Building Status | Sold to a charter school |
| Alumni Association | Active |
| Scholarships | $500,000 in annual tuition assistance |
| Notable Alumni | "Family Circus" cartoonist Bill Keane, sportscaster Jack Whitaker, All-Pro football player Frank "Bucko" Kilroy |
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What You'll Learn
North Catholic closed in 2010
North Catholic, an all-boys school in Philadelphia, closed its doors in 2010. The school, which was located on Torresdale Avenue, had a long history in the city, dating back to its opening in 1926 as Philadelphia's fourth Archdiocesan high school. Over the years, North Catholic became known for its strong academic and athletic programmes, with many graduates going on to attend prestigious universities and its sports teams achieving notable successes.
However, by the late 2000s, the school was facing declining enrolment and financial challenges. In October 2009, Cardinal Justin Rigali announced that North Catholic would be closing at the end of the 2009-2010 school year due to a significant drop in enrolment, which had fallen by 29% in the last decade and was projected to decline further.
The closure of the school left students and alumni saddened and displaced, with freshmen, sophomores, and juniors having to transfer to other Catholic high schools for the following school year. Despite the closure, the alumni of North Catholic have remained closely connected to their school and to each other, with many still proudly wearing North merchandise and gathering regularly to raise scholarship money for students to attend Catholic schools.
The building that once housed North Catholic was sold to the Marianna Bracetti Academy Charter School in September 2011, just over a year after the school's closure. The sale was met with some controversy, as there was a refusal to keep the school open for one more year to allow a transition to the Jesuit Cristo Rey Network of high schools. This decision led to criticism from some, who felt that the Archdiocese had "abandoned inner-city Catholic education".
While the physical school may no longer be open, the legacy of North Catholic and the strong bonds it fostered live on through its alumni, who continue to support and give back to Catholic education through scholarships and tuition assistance.
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North Catholic alumni continue to support scholarships
North Catholic High School, an all-boys school in Philadelphia, closed its doors in 2010 after 84 years of operation. The school was once the largest Catholic high school for boys in the world, with an enrolment of 4,500 students in 1953. Despite the closure, the alumni community remains strong and actively supports scholarships for Catholic education.
The alumni association, through its FALCONWAY Program, provides tuition assistance for students to attend specified Catholic colleges, high schools, and elementary schools. The scholarships are limited to the children and grandchildren of dues-paying members of the alumni association. In recent years, the alumni association has awarded $500,000 annually in scholarships and tuition assistance, continuing the legacy of supporting Catholic education.
The history of the scholarship fund dates back to 1968 when North Catholic and other Catholic schools in Philadelphia did not charge tuition. The funds raised were used for college scholarships for graduating seniors. As tuition was introduced, the focus shifted to providing student aid to attend North Catholic. The fund has continued to grow over the years, and the alumni association remains dedicated to promoting Catholic education.
The alumni of North Catholic High School have also established a smaller group called the "Norphans," reflecting how they felt like "orphans" when their school closed. The Norphans provide tuition assistance to children or grandchildren of former students who are attending Catholic schools. They hold reunions each summer to raise scholarship funds and honour the memories of their fellow alumni. The strong bonds among the alumni of North Catholic High School have persisted despite the school's closure, and their commitment to supporting scholarships ensures that the school's legacy continues to positively impact the lives of students.
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North Catholic's building was sold to a charter school
North Catholic, an all-boys school on Torresdale Avenue in Philadelphia, closed its doors in 2010 after 84 years of operation. The school was known for its strong academic and athletic programmes, with several graduates going on to prestigious universities and its teams achieving success in various sports. The school's building and campus were sold to the Marianna Bracetti Academy Charter School for $3.5 million in September 2011, fifteen months after North Catholic's closure.
The closure of North Catholic was met with sadness and disappointment by students and alumni, who cherished the memories and connections formed during their time at the school. Despite the closure, the North Catholic Alumni Association remains active and committed to supporting Catholic education. They provide tuition assistance grants and scholarships to students attending Catholic colleges, high schools, and elementary schools, ensuring that the legacy of North Catholic lives on through the education of future generations.
The sale of the North Catholic building to a charter school marked a new chapter in the history of the school's premises. The Marianna Bracetti Academy Charter School acquired a campus with a rich history and the potential to serve a new generation of students in the Philadelphia area. While the new school's educational approach and curriculum may differ from that of North Catholic, the purchase of the building allowed them to establish their presence in the community and create a space for learning and growth.
The transition from North Catholic to the Marianna Bracetti Academy Charter School reflects the changing educational landscape in Philadelphia. North Catholic's closure was attributed to declining enrolment and financial challenges, which led to the Archdiocese's decision to close the school. In contrast, the establishment of the charter school represented a shift towards alternative educational models, offering families in the community a different option for their children's education.
The impact of North Catholic's closure extended beyond the school's alumni and students. The school held a significant place in the history of Philadelphia, particularly in the Northeast and suburban areas, as it was the only Catholic high school in those regions for a significant period. The sale of the building to a charter school signified a shift in the educational landscape, with the Archdiocese's influence in inner-city Catholic education diminishing. This transition highlighted the complex dynamics of educational access, funding, and community needs in Philadelphia.
The story of North Catholic's building being sold to a charter school is a testament to the evolving nature of education and the resilience of the community. While the physical space changed hands, the memories, connections, and impact of North Catholic continue to resonate with its alumni and the Philadelphia community. The new charter school inherits a space imbued with a rich history, fostering a sense of continuity and transformation in the pursuit of knowledge and learning.
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North Catholic's soccer team won the 1990 Catholic League title
North Catholic in Philadelphia closed its doors in 2010, over a decade ago. However, the school has a rich history, including an impressive athletic record.
The North Catholic boys' soccer team won the Catholic League title in 1990, and this was certainly a cause for celebration. The team had a strong history, with this win adding to their numerous other championship titles. In fact, North Catholic won more Philadelphia Catholic League Championships in soccer (22), bowling (18), wrestling (13), and baseball (11) than any other Philadelphia Catholic High School.
The 1990 win was a memorable moment for the team, and they partied at Joey Murtagh's house in the neighbourhood. One team member, Mike Maciocha, recalled, "The whole team was there, and the parents. We had a good time. That day was just pure joy."
The North Catholic soccer team's success continued beyond 1990, with the team also winning the PCL and City titles in 2008. The school's sports teams participated in the Philadelphia Catholic League since it opened in 1926, and it seems that the alumni still hold the memories of their time at the school, and their athletic achievements, very dear.
The school's alumni have refused to let their school fade from memory, and they continue to meet up and wear North merchandise. They even have a group called the Norphans, reflecting how they felt like "orphans" when their beloved school closed. This group provides tuition assistance to children or grandchildren of former students who are now attending Catholic schools.
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North Catholic's history and legacy
North Catholic High School in Philadelphia is now closed. The school was located on Erie Avenue on the border between Frankford and Kensington and operated from 1925/1926 until 2010.
North Catholic was an all-boys school and was considered the world's largest Catholic high school for boys at one point. The school had a strong sporting tradition, with teams for baseball, basketball, bowling, crew, cross country, football, indoor and outdoor track and field, soccer, and wrestling. The school also had a swimming pool on the roof, a JV basketball team that won a playoff game, and an Aviation Club that helped prepare graduates for service during World War II and the Korean War.
The school's alumni include "Family Circus" cartoonist Bill Keane, sportscaster Jack Whitaker, and All-Pro football player Frank "Bucko" Kilroy. North Catholic also had a strong connection with several universities, including Saint Joseph's University, La Salle University, and Temple University, and sent many graduates to the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School for Business, Pennsylvania State University, and Drexel University.
Despite the school's closure, the alumni community remains strong and connected to their former school. They continue to wear North merchandise, reunite each summer, and provide tuition assistance to children or grandchildren of former students to attend Catholic schools. The alumni have also maintained the school's sporting traditions, with the soccer team winning a championship over a decade after the school's closure.
The building that housed North Catholic for 84 years was sold to the Marianna Bracetti Academy Charter School in 2011 for $3.5 million. The school's closure was due to a decline in enrollment, with a 29% drop in the last decade before its closure and a forecasted additional 24% decline in the following three years.
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Frequently asked questions
No, North Catholic in Philadelphia is not still open. The school closed in 2010.
The building was sold to the Marianna Bracetti Academy Charter School in 2011 for $3.5 million.
Students were guided through the process of transferring to other Catholic high schools for the 2010-2011 school year.
