computers and see the inner workings of the hard drive and monitor. North had a three to one student to computer ratio, which was the highest in the city. I.T. certification and computer literacy courses were included in the students' tuition at no extra cost. Adults could also take computer courses in the evening toward certification. It had been hoped that the fees from the adult education component would help fund the school, but that portion of the program did not develop. N.C. also developed a cartoonist society and journalism course to help prepare students for various careers. North's 15-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio was also the best in the Archdiocese. Entering the 2000s, North Catholic teachers were among the longest-tenured in the Archdiocese. Before closing, the Language Department offered Latin, Spanish, German, and French. In 2009, the school also provided Chinese and Italian. The Language Department also offered a Greek language course for students who excel in Latin and other languages in the summer. In June 2008, eight students traveled to the Yucatán peninsula in Mexico with the Spanish Club. North Catholic had several graduates accepted into the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School for Business. N.C. also sent many graduates to the Pennsylvania State University, the Philadelphia Big 5, and Drexel University. North had a strong connection with Saint Joseph's University, La Salle University, and Temple University. Closing On October 8, 2009, Cardinal Justin Rigali announced the school's closure, effective the end of the 2009-2010 school year, along with Cardinal Dougherty High School. The decision was based on an Archdiocese Catholic Education Office report. In its final year, enrollment was 551, dropping 29% in the last decade and was forecasted to decline by an additional 24% in the following three years, leading to the closure decision. Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, the Archdiocese education vicar, noted a 1993 Coopers & Lybrand study on the archdiocese' high-school system sustainability that recommended closing two schools, including North Catholic. "We thought the school deserved the chance to grow and flourish, and everyone worked very hard to do that. Ultimately, we weren't successful, but it was not for lack of effort." Some students transferred to Father Judge High School, which had agreed to accept Northeast's financial aid packages. Others transferred to Roman Catholic, Archbishop Ryan High School or Bishop McDevitt High School. When Northeast Catholic High School closed in June 2010, all records were sent to