How to Register St. Blaise Students in Catholic Schools

Andorra's Catholic school, the last parochial elementary school standing in Philadelphia west of the Wissahickon, will host registration this week for would-be St. Blaise students.

Additionally, Chestnut Hill's Catholic school will accept limited enrollment, as well.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the welcomes some of the 155 families to register for the 2012-13 school year for those who signed up at the merged Manayunk/East Falls school.

Through July 29, Our Mother of Consolation School in Chestnut Hill will accept families, as well.

Staying in Roxborough

After the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Monday June 18 that St. Blaise, the proposed combined school for Holy Child and St. Bridget's schools, w, six local Catholic schools were listed as replacements—including IHM on Cathedral Road in Andorra.

In an announcement on its website, IHM explained the registration process.

"Immaculate Heart of Mary School would like to welcome the families who were registered for St. Blaise to our school. We will accept only students who are on the list of registered families for St. Blaise as of June 11, 2012," the announcement said.

That means students who attended Holy Child or St. Bridget's but did not commit to St. Blaise are unable to register at this point in time. The announcement said others will "have to have to contact one of the other schools accepting registrations."

Additionally, the announcement defined terms that all students from St. Blaise will be classified as non-parishioners. That means Immaculate Heart of Mary won't offer financial assistance.

Families must apply to their home parish to qualify for subsidies at this point. Tuition will cost $4,050 for one student, $5,650 for two, and $6,150 for three or more, according to the website.

Registration for those with last names A-M will meet at the school from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday; N-Z is Thursday at the same time. There is a $280 registration fee.

Other Schools Available

The Chestnut Hill school has limited availability, it said in an announcement on its website.

"Although there are limited spots available, we know that this is a difficult time and we will provide every opportunity for those who meet our admission requirements. At the same time, we remain committed to capping our classes to 25 students in order to ensure an optimum learning environment for all of our students," it read.

The school, which already has 22 families from Roxborough, Manayunk and East Falls, said it offers a discount for non-parish Catholic families with multiple students. Tuition costs: $4,650, first child; $4,180: second child; $3,545: each additional child.

Parents should contact Sue Lasek at 215-247-1060 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each weekday to find out more.

Other schools available are:

• St. Francis Xavier, Fairmount
• St. Margaret, Narberth
• St. Philip Neri, Lafayette Hills
• St. Genevieve, Flourtown

Archdiocese spokespeople were unavailable for comment Friday but will follow-up for questions this week.