Delco Community College Buys Archbishop Prendergast HS Building

DREXEL HILL, PA — The former Archbishop Prendergast High School building in Drexel Hill is now the property of Delaware County Community College.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and DCCC announced they have signed an agreement of sale, saving the historic former Archbishop Prendergast High School building at Garrett Road and Lansdowne Avenue in Drexel Hill.

The college plans to create a new, full-service, community-centered campus on a portion of the 30-acre site, currently home to Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School, the result of a 2012 merger and now often referred to as "Bonner & Prendie."

"This is a great opportunity for the College to provide Delaware County residents with high quality, affordable education and training that is conveniently located, easily accessible and responsive to the needs of the community," said Dr. L. Joy Gates Black, president of Delaware County Community College. "We are incredibly appreciative to our sponsoring school districts for supporting this endeavor"

Both Dr. Black and Dr. John Cooke, presidents of Bonner & Prendie, are excited about the potential synergies that can be created between the two educational institutions to provide students with the best in educational instruction. Delaware County Community College already partners with Bonner & Prendie, as well as other high schools in the area, to provide dual enrollment, a program which allows students to earn college credits at a discounted rate while still in high school.

"We currently participate in the College’s High School Dual Enrollment program which provides students the opportunity to start earning college credits as early as their freshman year," Cooke said. "Having the College right next door to us will greatly enhance our student opportunities."

The Archdiocese acquired the land from the famous Drexel family in 1917.

The Archbishop Prendergast building was originally constructed as an orphanage, opening in 1920. It became a high school in 1953 and, as demand grew, the second, adjacent high school building opened in 1957.

In 2012, the separate boys and girls schools were consolidated at the now co-educational Monsignor Bonner portion of the campus.

Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast is one of 17 Archdiocesan high schools located throughout the five-county Philadelphia region.