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Schools

Pastor Confirms Closing of Mount Carmel High School

In a letter to parents and students, the Rev. Walter Ptak said low enrollment is to blame.

The pastor of has confirmed the of .

The Rev. Walter Ptak announced the closure in a June 13 letter to parents and students, blaming low enrollment.

“Despite our best efforts to register enough students for the fall, the fact remains that there are not enough students to keep our beloved high school open,” Ptak wrote. “I have written a letter to the Archbishop (Allen Vigneron) about this matter and by means of this letter communicate to you officially, that the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic High School will not open this fall due to lack of enrollment.”

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Mount Carmel High School opened in the fall of 1928 and has educated students for 83 years.

In the letter to parents and students, Ptak said he did not want Mount Carmel High School to close, “but with less than 40 students, there is no way to afford the high cost of education on the high school level.”

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To read the letter, click on the PDF to the right.

Earlier this year, plans were announced to at Mount Carmel and Wyandotte Catholic Consolidated and merge them with Our Lady of Good Shepherd in Lincoln Park. Low enrollment also was cited. John Paul II Catholic School will open in August on the campus of Good Shepherd.

Ptak told high school parents and students that he has inquired about a tuition subsidy to assist current Mount Carmel students who “choose to continue in another Catholic high school. If it is possible, I will notify you by mail with the details."

Other Catholic high schools in the area include Gabriel Richard in Riverview, St. Frances Cabrini in Allen Park and St. Mary Catholic Central in Monroe.

The letter thanks Mount Carmel Principal Timothy Scanlon as well as teachers and staff “for their hard work and dedication in keeping Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School moving forward. This is no small accomplishment. May God repay them often for their zeal.”

“In closing,” Ptak writes, “please know that you are in my prayers often, this is a very difficult time for all of us. If there is anything I can do to help with this transition, please call the school office and let me know. No matter where you go, I know you will do well as you have your roots here at good ol’ MC High.”

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