Feb. 22, 2009

Dear Arthur and friends,

According to one very good source from St. Raphael Academy, the high school  is slated to close in June 2011.

The reasons for closings are threefold:  the senior graduating class in 2009 is at an unacceptable low of 90 students, partly due to economic difficulty.  Secondly, too many students are receiving one-third scholarships, thus depriving the school of necessary income.

 Third and finally, the yearly tuition at St. Raphael's just carried over the $10,000 per year mark.

Peace,  Jim

That seems hard to believe with all the alums, but anything might be possible today. I would think there would be yomans efforts to save and perhaps combine with LaSalle or other enhancements

I agree...a bit of a shock if so...but let us see what happens in the next few weeks...as it seems many of the schools seem to be consolidating or shutting down or merging in some fashion...

A real loss, but let us not write them off yet

Dear Jimmy and Arthur,

A fourth factor of St. Raphael's closing was mentioned by a student and his parent several years ago:  the prohibitive price of the new gymnasium on Walcott Street. 

According to my other source, St. Raphael's paid in cash $6 million for the gym ; and the school borrowed another $6 plus million from a local bank.  The academy is having a difficult time paying the loan back.  Plus, another source told me the gym was not properly built, too much space is wasted.  Thus, more potential revenue seems lost.

Peace,

Jim