Audubon's St. Gabriel's, School For At-Risk Youth, To Shut Down

AUDUBON, PA — A Montgomery County school for at-risk youth which has served the community for more than a century is shutting down, reflecting the changing nature of the care and education given to juvenile delinquents in the region.

St. Gabriel's Hall, an iconic structure visible from the 422 and towering over Pawlings Road in Audubon, has been operating in some form since 1898. In a statement, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia cited a 72 percent decrease in the number of children assigned to the school over the last five years and "the unsustainable losses that the system has been and would continue to experience."

Around 180 employees will lose their jobs, and 30 students will be displaced.

While the recent losses — an estimated $3 million just in the first six months of 2020 — were exacerbated by the coronavirus crisis, the Archdiocese also cited trends indicating a long-term, steady, and sharp reduction in the number of at-risk youth being sent by the courts to St. Gabe's.

The all-boys Catholic behavioral program serves students between 13 and 19 years old. The school partnered with the City of Philadelphia and numerous other local and state agencies to provide education, social work, vocational training, clinical services, mental health treatment, and more for troubled youth. St. Gabe's has worked closely with De La Salle Vocational in Bensalem, which will also close, for decades.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear what will become of the property, which sits between the Schuylkill River and Perkiomen Creek, and is adjacent to both Valley Forge National Park and the John James Audubon Center.

"There has not yet been any discussion about the future use and/or disposition of the property," Ken Gavin, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese, told Patch. 'The focus at this time remains on transition for the residents and employees who are impacted."

For the 30 current students at St. Gabe's, the Archdiocese said they are working on a "safe and healthy transition" to other programs. For the 180-odd employees, the Archdiocese is working with some to attempt to find other positions within the system. Others will receive severance.

St. Gabe's and De La Salle are expected to shutter on Nov. 28.