The cost of single-sex education in Delaware County is about to go up.
Way up.
For those who hold dear the boys- and girls-only tradition of Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast, it no doubt sounds very familiar.
It should, it's the same malady that has been affecting parochial schools in the eastern end of the county for years.
Declining enrollment, increasing costs.
Alums from the two schools on Lansdowne Avenue in Drexel Hill have been informed by the archdiocese that they need to raise $500,000 in pledges in a couple of weeks to keep that tradition alive.
The alternative? Likely merging the separate schools into a coed facility in one of the buildings.
Closing schools has become an ugly fact of life when it comes to parochial education in the eastern end of the county.
Those who cling to the vision of their separate schools might want to seek out alums of St. James High in Chester. They can tell them that the numbers don't lie. They don't forgive either.
Or they might want to check in with the good folks in St. Joseph's parish Collingdale, who lost a bitter fight to keep their elementary school open last year.
Bonner and Prendie alumni say they are up to the task of keeping their respective schools open. I wish them well.
I certainly think there is a place for single-sex education. In Delaware County that place has traditionally been Bonner and Prendie.
How much longer that remains the case is stilll to be determined.
Way up.
For those who hold dear the boys- and girls-only tradition of Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast, it no doubt sounds very familiar.
It should, it's the same malady that has been affecting parochial schools in the eastern end of the county for years.
Declining enrollment, increasing costs.
Alums from the two schools on Lansdowne Avenue in Drexel Hill have been informed by the archdiocese that they need to raise $500,000 in pledges in a couple of weeks to keep that tradition alive.
The alternative? Likely merging the separate schools into a coed facility in one of the buildings.
Closing schools has become an ugly fact of life when it comes to parochial education in the eastern end of the county.
Those who cling to the vision of their separate schools might want to seek out alums of St. James High in Chester. They can tell them that the numbers don't lie. They don't forgive either.
Or they might want to check in with the good folks in St. Joseph's parish Collingdale, who lost a bitter fight to keep their elementary school open last year.
Bonner and Prendie alumni say they are up to the task of keeping their respective schools open. I wish them well.
I certainly think there is a place for single-sex education. In Delaware County that place has traditionally been Bonner and Prendie.
How much longer that remains the case is stilll to be determined.
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