Bishop Noll’s first open house of the year was Sunday, November 8th and, according to Mrs. Nancy Repay, admissions director, it was a large success. 105 prospective students and their families were in attendance and 63 have registered for the entrance exam, according to Repay, versus last year’s attendance of 66 visitors when only 32 signed up for the entrance exam.

  “Our visitors commented on how knowledgeable our teachers were and enjoyed their presentations.  The mentioned how our tour guides gave wonderful tours and how welcome they felt as soon as they entered the building,” Repay said.

  Repay credits the evidence of our successful graduates to a large part of the recent spike of interest in Bishop Noll.

  “The rigor of our classrooms prepare our students for the next level of education.  Our students are well prepared for college and life,” Repay said. “We are the only school in the area to offer a STEM program. This exciting new program is taking Bishop Noll to the next level. Families also appreciate our Catholic identity. Faith is important. Our faith shows in the daily routine at Noll.”

  Another large draw to people seemed to be the “family atmosphere” that Bishop Noll, along with many other Catholic high schools, stress.

  “The family atmosphere is a huge deal,” Repay said. “So many students tell me they did not fit in or feel welcome at other schools.  Our teachers are incredible.  The amount of knowledge they share with each other and their students is amazing.  Our teachers care about our students  – it shows everyday – our students feel it and so do our guests and shadows.”  

  With such positive results of the first open house of the year, Repay is hopeful of the same, if not a better response for the December open house.

  “I am excited to see how many people attend  the second open house,” she said. “It’s very unpredictable.”

  Bishop Noll’s second open house was held on  Thursday, Dec. 10. By the time this article was written, results of the open house were not yet available.