Driscoll High School to close

April 28, 2009 (ADDISON, Ill.) (WLS) -- Fundraising efforts to keep a west suburban Catholic school open did not pay off.

On Tuesday, officials announced that Driscoll Catholic High School in Addison will close at the end of the school year.

Christian Brothers of the Midwest, which runs the school, first announced plans to close it this month. In response, alumni and parents raised about $900,000 in just a few weeks and came up with a campaign to bring in more students. They had hoped to see a Fall 2009 freshman class of 300, but only 50 students signed on.

"I really thought we were going to save the school. I guess it couldn't happen. For whatever reason, god wouldn't let it happen. I'm very disappointed but we're going to have to just go with it," said Adam Halick, student.

"We can definitely boost enrollment, raise enough money to keep operations going. And once people see in the near term the dedication and enthusiasm and heart and soul of this Driscoll community, they want to be a part of it," said David Schwabe, staff.

Despite the nearly $1 million raised, Christian Brothers said they need about $4 million to pay for investment cost to keep the school running.

Driscoll supports have one last ditch effort. On Thursday, they will appeal to the Joliet Diocese in the hope that they will take on the 43-year-old school.

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