Members of West Philadelphia Catholic High School are celebrating the gift of a second chance.
Archbishop Charles Chaput announced on Feb. 24 that with the help of $12 million donated to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the high school, along with three others, will be spared from closure. A portion of the donations will be given to each school.
In January, Philadelphia Archdiocese Superintendent Mary Rochford announced the possible closure of 45 elementary schools and four high schools in the area, including West Catholic High.
Rochford’s decision sparked debate among the Catholic community. Three of the four high schools slated for closure appealed the superintendent’s decision. West Catholic High was the only high school to deny the appeals process.
On Feb. 6, Brother Timothy Ahern resigned from his position as West Catholic High President. Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools Thomas Rooney was appointed to serve as Acting President for the remainder of the school year.
After Friday’s announcement, West Catholic is now able to look forward rather than focus on its final days.
“Everyone is thrilled that the schools are staying open,” said Father James McGuinn, who is the pastor of the St. Agatha-St. James Parish and director of the Newman ministry at Penn.
“It’s just the beginning,” he added. “Some of the other things still need to happen.”
With the money allotted, the high school will be able to stay open for two more years on the condition that the school will increase monetary contributions from its 25,000 alumni network and increase current student enrollment.
According to Rooney, the school is being charged with the responsibility of “pursuing other venues for support, grants … watching the budget carefully, and marketing.”
In addition to the $12 million in donations, the Archdiocese hopes to raise $15 million by May 1 and at least $70 million by June 2017.
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