Bishop Hafey High School
Encyclopedia
Bishop Hafey High School was a Roman Catholic high school of the Diocese of Scranton
, located in Hazleton, Pennsylvania
. By the order of Bishop Joseph F. Martino
, the high school was closed in June of 2007.
The school's mascot was the Viking
. The school's colors were gold and white.
. The prime location between PA State Route 234 and PA State Route 309 allowed for ease of transportation access. The school was the replacement to the first Catholic high school in the Hazleton area, which was St. Gabriel's.
The school was recommended for closure in 2006 by Meitler Consulting, who was retained by the Diocese of Scranton to study the school's feasibility. In a controversial decision, Bishop Joseph Martino
ordered the school to be closed at the end of the 2006-2007 academic year.
In July 2007, Bishop Hafey was consolidated with the three other diocesan high schools in Luzerne County (Bishop Hoban
, Bishop O'Reilly, and Seton Catholic into Holy Redeemer High School
, which is located at the current Bishop Hoban site).
Many families that attended Bishop Hafey were devastated by its closing that they moved to nearby cities to join other parishes and schools. Popular locations were Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
In August 2007, the building reopened as Holy Family Academy. But in early 2011, due to the decreased number of enrolled students in Holy Family and high-maintenance costs at the building, Bishop Joseph Bambera
told parents that Holy Family Academy would move from the former Bishop Hafey High School building into the former St. Joseph's Memorial School in Hazleton. Holy Family Academy remains in its position as the only remaining Roman Catholic school in the Hazleton area.
Currently, the Hazleton Area School District
is on the verge of purchasing the former Bishop Hafey High School building and its property from the Diocese of Scranton
to ease overcrowding at the existing Hazleton Area High School.
Both the first and second floor classrooms include a medley of styles, ranging from traditional classrooms, to tiered lecture settings, and science laboratories with fume hoods. Many classrooms take on the subject matter, as it is not uncommon to see artistically painted ceiling tiles in the art room or a myriad of mathematical equations on the wall of the calculus room.
The library contained many volumes of current and archived periodicals, as well as books, research journals, reference guides, and computers.
Along with the building, a football field, a soccer field, and a baseball field are located on the property behind the school. Both student and faculty parking lots are on location.
At the high school level specifically, Hafey provided AP level courses. The Advanced Placement courses, made available under conditions set by College Board, allowed for students to obtain college credit after successfully completing a rigorous examination.
The Bishop Hafey graduating class of 2007 included 47 students. Total college scholarship endowment reached well over $3,000,000.00.
Bishop Hafey High School athletic program included the following sports:
Of note, the boys cross country team was undefeated in the Wyoming Valley conference from 1995 through to the school's closing in 2007 for a record of 65-0 over 13 straight seasons. The boys and girls team have won the conference championship every year since 1994. The boys team won the Pennsylvania AA State Championship in 1999.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton, of which St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is the mother church, consists of 11 counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, United States....
, located in Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Hazleton is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 25,340 at the 2010 census, an increase of 8.6% from the 2000 census count .-Greater Hazleton:...
. By the order of Bishop Joseph F. Martino
Joseph Francis Martino
Joseph Francis Martino is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and the Retired Bishop of Scranton. He served as bishop of Scranton until his resignation was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on 31 August 2009....
, the high school was closed in June of 2007.
The school's mascot was the Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
. The school's colors were gold and white.
History
Bishop Hafey High School was constructed in the 1960s in the Maple Manor section of HazletonHazleton, Pennsylvania
Hazleton is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 25,340 at the 2010 census, an increase of 8.6% from the 2000 census count .-Greater Hazleton:...
. The prime location between PA State Route 234 and PA State Route 309 allowed for ease of transportation access. The school was the replacement to the first Catholic high school in the Hazleton area, which was St. Gabriel's.
The school was recommended for closure in 2006 by Meitler Consulting, who was retained by the Diocese of Scranton to study the school's feasibility. In a controversial decision, Bishop Joseph Martino
Joseph Francis Martino
Joseph Francis Martino is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and the Retired Bishop of Scranton. He served as bishop of Scranton until his resignation was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on 31 August 2009....
ordered the school to be closed at the end of the 2006-2007 academic year.
In July 2007, Bishop Hafey was consolidated with the three other diocesan high schools in Luzerne County (Bishop Hoban
Bishop Hoban High School
Bishop Hoban High School was a Roman Catholic high school of the Diocese of Scranton, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The school was founded in 1971, and the new building opened in 1972 after the Agnes flood. The school was named after Most Rev. Michael J. Hoban, second Bishop of Scranton...
, Bishop O'Reilly, and Seton Catholic into Holy Redeemer High School
Holy Redeemer High School
Holy Redeemer High School is a high school of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States. Holy Redeemer High School is located in Luzerne County.-Holy Redeemer:...
, which is located at the current Bishop Hoban site).
Many families that attended Bishop Hafey were devastated by its closing that they moved to nearby cities to join other parishes and schools. Popular locations were Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
In August 2007, the building reopened as Holy Family Academy. But in early 2011, due to the decreased number of enrolled students in Holy Family and high-maintenance costs at the building, Bishop Joseph Bambera
Joseph Bambera
Joseph Charles Bambera is an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the tenth and current Bishop of Scranton, serving since April 26, 2010.-Early life and education:...
told parents that Holy Family Academy would move from the former Bishop Hafey High School building into the former St. Joseph's Memorial School in Hazleton. Holy Family Academy remains in its position as the only remaining Roman Catholic school in the Hazleton area.
Currently, the Hazleton Area School District
Hazleton Area School District
The Hazleton Area School District is a public school district in Pennsylvania, stretching over portions of Luzerne, Schuylkill, and Carbon Counties...
is on the verge of purchasing the former Bishop Hafey High School building and its property from the Diocese of Scranton
Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton, of which St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is the mother church, consists of 11 counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, United States....
to ease overcrowding at the existing Hazleton Area High School.
Facilities
The two-story brick high school building's entrance is covered with a metal canopy. As one enters the building, the gymnasium prominently displays banners of championship sports teams. Continuing down the main hall, the cafeteria/auditorium features two food service windows.Both the first and second floor classrooms include a medley of styles, ranging from traditional classrooms, to tiered lecture settings, and science laboratories with fume hoods. Many classrooms take on the subject matter, as it is not uncommon to see artistically painted ceiling tiles in the art room or a myriad of mathematical equations on the wall of the calculus room.
The library contained many volumes of current and archived periodicals, as well as books, research journals, reference guides, and computers.
Along with the building, a football field, a soccer field, and a baseball field are located on the property behind the school. Both student and faculty parking lots are on location.
Academics
Bishop Hafey High School featured grades 7 through 12. The curriculum was intended for college preparatory students, however vocational classes are available via the Hazleton Area School District's Career Center. Rigorous studies in Mathematics, English, History, and Theology fill the courses of most students. Specialized classes including accounting, psychology, anatomy and physiology, and physics allow students to broaden their horizons in education.At the high school level specifically, Hafey provided AP level courses. The Advanced Placement courses, made available under conditions set by College Board, allowed for students to obtain college credit after successfully completing a rigorous examination.
The Bishop Hafey graduating class of 2007 included 47 students. Total college scholarship endowment reached well over $3,000,000.00.
Athletics
- Boys and Girls Cross Country
- Boys and Girls Soccer
- Football
- Boys and Girls Tennis
- Boys and Girls Basketball
- Baseball
- Softball
- Golf
- Boys and Girls Track and Field (through Hazleton Area High School)
Of note, the boys cross country team was undefeated in the Wyoming Valley conference from 1995 through to the school's closing in 2007 for a record of 65-0 over 13 straight seasons. The boys and girls team have won the conference championship every year since 1994. The boys team won the Pennsylvania AA State Championship in 1999.