Type Private, All-Male Established 1954 Closed 2005 Founded 1954 Color Green and White | Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic Status closed Grades 9-12 Motto Valor Virtusque Ceased operations 2005 | |
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Headquarters Harper Woods, Michigan, United States | ||
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. 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.
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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.
The Friends of Notre Dame Incorporated filed a lawsuit to keep the school open, but a Wayne County Circuit Court judge ruled against them. 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.
It was used as a filming location for the 2012 film Red Dawn. 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.
School culture
Tom Morwatts, a guitarist for the band Mutants, said that Notre Dame was "legendary for its dances." 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.