Alumni Groups Fund Scholarships After School Closures
Former students are raising significant funds to help current pupils afford private Catholic education in Pennsylvania.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Scholarships
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Following the closures of their respective high schools, Pennsylvania alumni associations are providing ongoing scholarship support to students. These groups utilize various fundraising events to ensure younger generations can access Catholic education.
Why it matters
By filling the financial gap left by school closures, these alumni organizations preserve institutional legacies and help maintain student access to Catholic education. These efforts allow former students to pass down the values learned during their own schooling to the next generation.
The North Catholic alumni association provides $500,000 in annual scholarships to 140 students. Meanwhile, the St. James Alumni Association supports 40 students with $130,000 in scholarships provided this year.
The players
North Catholic High School
This former high school in Philadelphia closed in 2010 and maintains a large alumni network.
St. James High School
This Chester-based high school closed its doors in 1993 but retains an active alumni association.
The Norphans
This non-profit organization formed in 2014 to continue supporting students after the closure of North Catholic High School.
The details
Alumni groups host dinners, golf outings, reunions, and raffles to generate scholarship revenue for students attending various Catholic schools. The Norphans non-profit further supplements these efforts by selling merchandise and partnering with alumni-owned businesses.
Timeline
1993: St. James High School closed.
2010: North Catholic High School closed.
2014: The Norphans non-profit organization formed.
November 8, 2026: North Catholic 100th anniversary celebration.
Culture Shift
These alumni-driven scholarship models respond directly to the closure of Catholic high schools across the Northeast. This trend reflects a shift where graduates take responsibility for preserving the institutional legacy that might otherwise vanish.
Families currently navigating Catholic school tuition costs may find specific grant opportunities through these alumni networks. Students can utilize these funds to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for their private education.
The takeaway
These organizations demonstrate how former students can sustain local traditions long after an institution officially closes. Residents interested in supporting these causes should look for annual fundraising events like golf outings or raffles in their local area.
What happens next
The North Catholic 100th anniversary celebration is scheduled to take place on November 8, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local educational funding through the Pennsylvania Scholarships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CatholicPhilly.
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