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
Founded	1954
Opened	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 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. Regina High School moved to Warren, Michigan in 2007 and Lutheran East was closed.

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]

Notable alumni

• David Bonior, former United States Congressman^[3]
• Joe Borri, author of the short story collection, Eight Dogs Named Jack^[4]
• Doug Brown, U.S. Track & Field Olympian and Assistant Coach, Collegiate All–American, former Tennessee and Florida Head Track Coach^[5]
• Dave Coulier, comedian and entertainer^[6]
• Chris "Volcano" Fortson, Entertainer and Graphic Designer; CEO of I-Ent Records and Central Media LLC^{[citation needed]}
• Thomas Gladysz, author and arts journalist; Director, Louise Brooks Society^[7]
• Eric E. Haas, CEO of Altruist Financial Advisors LLC^[8]
• Derrick Kuzak, Vice President, Ford Motor Company Global Product Development.^[9]
• Eric J. Pierzchala, author of The Ultimate Ultimate Detroit Tigers Trivia Book: A Journey Through Detroit Tiger History By Way of Trivia^{[citation needed]}
• Matt Servitto, actor (The Sopranos)^{[citation needed]}
• Tim Timmerman, popular morning show radio personality - "Tim and George" Kiss 107 Cincinnati^{[citation needed]}
• Doug Weight, a former Olympic hockey player and centre for the St. Louis Blues of the NHL^[10]

External links

	Metro Detroit portal
	Schools portal
	Catholicism portal

• Notre Dame Alumni Association

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Donaldson, Stan. "Trinity, Notre Dame Fight Back", Detroit Free Press. March 31, 2005. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
2. ^ ^{a b} "Cosby cancels visit to seminary event"
3. ^ "BONIOR, David Edward" at Congress.gov; URL accessed May 8, 2006.
4. ^ http://www.joeborri.net
5. ^ Gator Men's Track & Field Roster GatorZone.com
6. ^ "Dave Coulier" at the Notable Names Database (NNDb); URL accessed May 6, 2006.
7. ^ "Fan Site Sparks Biopic" Wired article
8. ^ http://www.altruistfa.com/aboutaltruist.htm October 26, 2010.
9. ^ http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=21211 July 20, 2005.
10. ^ "Carolina's Weight finally lifted, well, almost"; Detroit Free Press, June 21, 2006; URL accessed July 3, 2006.