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North alums to make case

The alumni of North Catholic High School, one of two Archdiocese high schools slated to close this year, weren't kidding when they vowed to try to keep the school open as an independent Catholic school.

The alumni of North Catholic High School, one of two Archdiocese high schools slated to close this year, weren't kidding when they vowed to try to keep the school open as an independent Catholic school.

Organizers established a Web site - it went online Jan. 1 at www.nccrinfo.com - devoted to making North Catholic part of the Cristo ReyNetwork, a Jesuit-run, Chicago-based organization that includes 24 high schools around the country that provide Catholic, college-prep education to low-income urban students.

Now, parents are invited to an information meeting about the Cristo Rey Network, at 7 p.m. Thursday in the auditorium at the school on Torresdale Avenue near Erie, in Frankford.

John J. Marquess,a 1967 North grad and a "core planning team" member, said yesterday that the new school could open as early as September.

Students who attend Cristo Rey schools must work at least one day a week, with the pay from those jobs going directly to the school to support tuition costs.

Since Daily News columnist Ronnie Polaneczky wrote about "rumors" concerning the Cristo Rey effort, support has grown.

"Contrary to people deserting a sinking ship, a lot of people have stepped up to say they want to help, including the mayor of Philadelphia and the governor of Pennsylvania," said Marquess.

The Archdiocese announced Oct. 8 that it will close North and Cardinal Dougherty High.