Prendergast, Bonner To Appeal Blue Ribbon Closing Recommendation

On its Facebook page on Thursday afternoon, Prendergast Catholic High School announced that it and Monsignor Bonner Catholic High School would be appealing the Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations to close the two schools at the end of this school year.

Earlier this month, the would be closing or merging and to close four high schools in June. are in Delaware County.

But Prendergast Catholic High School and Monsignor Bonner Catholic High School have apparently decided to appeal the recommendation to close.

"It is official, we will appeal the Blue Ribbon Commission's recommendation. We regret that we were unable to make this announcement to our students first in an assembly.

However, this is good news! A phone call will be placed to our current students and families this afternoon prior to the information being on the evening news," the Facebook message stated.  

Haverford-Havertown Patch left voice and email messages to Prendergast Catholic High School to confirm the Facebook posting late Thursday afternoon after school hours. The school has not yet returned Patch’s requests for comment. But Father James Olson, president of Bonner and Prendie, later commented on the

On both of their websites, Prendergast and Bonner have a web page each that mentions the appeal and information on how people can donate money "to keep the school(s) open." 

Patch also left a voice message with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia seeking comment about Prendie and Bonner's decision to appeal after school hours early Thursday night and has not yet received a call back.

The Blue Ribbon Commission also recommended that at the Nativity facility, next school year. However, and is asking that the merge still take place, but the students be moved to St. John's facility, not Nativity. Essentially, leaving Nativity's building vacant.

Media Patch has asked officials for comment and they have choosen not to comment publicly on the merger or appeals process until parents and administrators from both schools work out the details and a plan is in place.

Allthingsmediapa.com, again appealed to to do something before an Archdiocesen decision is made, after there was no mention of the school's Blue Ribbon Commission recommendation at council's regular meeting Thursday night.