FACTS ABOUT NORTH

Opened: Sept. 7, 1926.

Location: Torresdale Avenue, near Erie. The Market-Frankford El had opened in 1922, making the site accessible to students along the El from Bridge Street Station to 69th Street in Upper Darby.

Administered by: The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.

Colors: Cardinal red and white. Cardinal red was chosen to honor Cardinal Dennis Joseph Dougherty, head of the Archdiocese for 33 years.

Motto: Tenui nec dimittan: I have it and I won't let go.

Mascot: The falcon, because once it grabs hold of something in its talons, it never lets go.

Enrollment at opening: 449

Peak enrollment: 4,726 in 1953, when North was recognized as the world's largest Catholic high school for boys.

Enrollment for 2009-10: 551

Famous alumni: Bil Keane, cartoonist who created "Family Circus" comic strip; John Doman, actor in HBO series "The Wire"; Former NFL players Frank "Bucko" Kilroy and Jim Gilmore, both of whom played for the Eagles; Joe Maneely, artist, Marvel Comics.

- Valerie Russ