Notre Dame High School (Harper Woods, Michigan)

For other schools of the same name, see Notre Dame High School (disambiguation).
Notre Dame High School

Crest of Harper Woods Notre Dame High School
Valor Virtusque
Valor and Courage
Address
20254 Kelly Road
Harper Woods, Michigan 48225-1203
United States
Information
Type Private, All-Male
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established 1954
Status closed
Closed 2005
Grades 9-12
Color(s) Green and White         
Song Notre Dame Our Mother
Fight song Notre Dame Victory March
Nickname Fightin' Irish
Newspaper The Shield, The Leprechaun
Yearbook The Juggler
Website Notre Dame Alumni Association Notre Dame Alumni Association

Notre Dame High School was a Catholic, all–male, non–residential college preparatory school in the Detroit suburb of Harper Woods, Michigan. It was closed in 2005, with 295 students, after more than 50 years due to budget concerns, according to the Archdiocese of Detroit.[1] The school had about 300 students at the time of closure, down from almost 1000 during its peak enrollment levels. It was founded in 1954 and operated by the Marist Fathers and Brothers, and the first class graduated in 1958.

Throughout its existence, the school was located next door to Regina High School, a Catholic, all–female school; and Lutheran High School East. Lutheran High School East closed in 2004 and Regina High School moved to Warren, Michigan in 2007.

Closing

The Archdiocese of Detroit announced in early March 2005 that 18 Detroit–area schools—including Notre Dame High School—would be shut down because declining enrollment and an escalating budget deficit. Archdiocese spokesman Richard Laskos called the decision "irrevocable" despite protests from family, students and alumni of the school.[1]

The Friends of Notre Dame Incorporated filed a lawsuit to keep the school open, but a Wayne County Circuit Court judge ruled against them.[2] Entertainer Bill Cosby, who had spoken in support of keeping the school open, was scheduled to attend a meeting with activists protesting the school's closure, but canceled his appearance.[2]

It was used as a filming location for the 2012 film Red Dawn.[3] Mark Binelli, author of Detroit City is the Place to Be, wrote that the school cafeteria was used as the catering hall for the employees of the film production.[4]

School culture

Tom Morwatts, a guitarist for the band Mutants, said that Notre Dame was "legendary for its dances."[5] He explained that the school needed to raise funds to pay for its athletic facilities, so the school hosted dances for teenagers, inviting bands such as The Supremes that attracted patrons from Metro Detroit.[5]

Notable alumni

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Donaldson, Stan. "Trinity, Notre Dame Fight Back", Detroit Free Press. March 31, 2005. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Cosby cancels visit to seminary event"
  3. ↑ Binelli, p. 260.
  4. ↑ Binelli, p. 260-261.
  5. 1 2 Miller, page unstated
  6. ↑ "BONIOR, David Edward" at Congress.gov; URL accessed May 8, 2006.
  7. ↑ http://www.joeborri.net
  8. ↑ Gator Men's Track & Field Roster GatorZone.com
  9. ↑ "Dave Coulier" at the Notable Names Database (NNDb); URL accessed May 6, 2006.
  10. ↑ http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=21211 July 20, 2005.
  11. ↑ "Carolina's Weight finally lifted, well, almost"; Detroit Free Press, June 21, 2006; URL accessed July 3, 2006.

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