Drexel Neumann Academy will open its doors in September 2007 to students currently enrolled at Saint Katharine Drexel Parish School as well as other students from the city of Chester who are looking for a quality Catholic education. This new venture will allow Saint Katharine Drexel Parish Grade School to transition into Drexel Neumann Academy.

Neumann College, Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, Saint Katharine Drexel Parish, and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are co-sponsoring the Drexel Neumann Academy. It will be an independent Catholic school for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grades. The witness and lives of St. Katharine Drexel and St. John Neumann are the inspirations for Drexel Neumann Academy.

Drexel Neumann Academy students will receive:
· Extended day schedule, start at 7:30 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m.
· Extended academic year from September through July
· Exposure to Franciscan spirituality ~ "Preach the Gospel at all times, use words when necessary" ~ St. Francis of Assisi
· Small class size and homework club for each student
· Multiple intelligences instruction ~ teaching to the different learning styles of each child
· Enhanced technology programs

Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, announced on the feast day of Saint Katharine Drexel on March 3, 2006, that the school would remain open for the 2006-2007 school year. Saint Katharine Drexel Parish School had been conducting a self-study as a result of declining enrollment and increasing costs. Cardinal Rigali said, "While we recognize those realities, we must also remember and model Saint Katharine Drexel's love for the poor and for children." Following that announcement, the collaboration of the co-sponsors created this opportunity to continue the tradition of Catholic education in the city of Chester with this new model, the Drexel Neumann Academy.

In addition, schools throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia have raised over $10,000 to date to purchase new uniforms for Drexel Neumann Academy students. Students at Archdiocesan schools are offering their contributions as a way to welcome every student who will attend Drexel Neumann Academy.

For more information about Drexel Neumann Academy, please contact Sister Maggie Gannon, OSF at 610-212-1379.

Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747