Notre Dame High School (Harper Woods, Michigan)

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 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

• David Bonior, former United States Congressman^[6]
• Joe Borri, author of the short story collection, Eight Dogs Named Jack^[7]
• Doug Brown, U.S. Track & Field Olympian and Assistant Coach, Collegiate All–American, former Tennessee and Florida Head Track Coach^[8]
• Dave Coulier, comedian and entertainer^[9]
• Derrick Kuzak, Vice President, Ford Motor Company Global Product Development.^[10]
• "Uncle" Paul Perzyk, writer/author of The Even Series children's picture books http://evenseries.com/
• Eric J. Pierzchala, author of The Ultimate Ultimate Detroit Tigers Trivia Book: A Journey Through Detroit Tiger History By Way of Trivia
• Matt Servitto, actor (The Sopranos)
• Doug Weight, a former Olympic hockey player and centre for the St. Louis Blues of the NHL^[11]

References

• Binelli, Mark. Detroit City is the Place to Be. Metropolitan Books, Henry Holt and Company (New York). First Edition, 2012. ISBN 978-0-8050-9229-5 (hardback version).
• Miller, Steve. Detroit Rock City: The Uncensored History of Rock 'n' Roll in America's Loudest City. Da Capo Press, 2013. ISBN 0306821842, 9780306821844.

External links

• Notre Dame Alumni Association
• Notre Dame Alumni Association

Notes