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Historic North Philly School Reopens In New Location

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- An historic school in North Philadelphia has reopened at a new location. The school had it's grand re-opening today at North 11th and West Thompson streets, just a block from where it had been located for 156 years.

Saint Malachy Catholic School opened in 1891 and served the predominantly Irish immigrant community. Ann McGoldrick, president of Independence Mission Schools, says it now serves a diverse neighborhood and is looking to the future.

"The children are in entirely new refitted classrooms, full 21st century technology," McGoldrick noted.

She says IMS has 15 independent schools which were formerly part of the Archdiocese.

"These were schools in some of the poorest parts of our city, primarily serving low income children, primarily serving non-Catholic children. And we formed as an organization in order to keep those schools going, not just keep going, but to invest in them and outfit them to be thriving going forward."

There are 255 students from preschool to 8th grade who are currently enrolled.

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