Now that endowment is only at $160,000 and with a large running deficit, the school will close if the $5 million to secure the next five years is not raised soon. They also need 9 more students to sign up by May 15th for the new fall freshman class so those looking for a good high school out there might want to check this one out. About 70 percent of those attending the school receives some sort of financial aid but the institution itself appears to also need help when it comes to its own financing: LINK. Uniform photo by Todd Heisler
That would certainly be a loss
ReplyDeleteI’m familiar with the place. I’d hate to see it close. But I do think going co-ed might increase enrollment.
ReplyDeleteRice traditionally seeks donations from its Alumni. But they to my knowledge went in for fund raising events such as Bingo (old school, but effective) and Street Fairs that other schools used to do. They could always try that.
A terrible loss to Harlem and the Black Community of NYC as a whole. Rice alumni have gone on to do great things. I worked with a neurosurgeon once who was a Rice alum from the 70's.
ReplyDeleteCatholic schools have always been a great secret weapon in Black communities all over this country since the founding of the Oblate Sisters of Providence in B-more in 1829
Going co-ed would risk alienating alumni, however. One only needs look at former women's colleges like Sarah Lawrence that struggle with funding and endowment after going co-ed to know that would be an issue. The real solution would be to raise tuition a bit to come closer to the covering the costs.
ReplyDelete@Ben: Raise tuition? In Central Harlem? Enrollment is down as it is now.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what exactly is going to work for them but it will have to be creative.