By Katie Vasquez
Class is back in session for La Salle Academy students in the East Village.
While they are in a new location this year, it’s not unfamiliar territory.
“I don’t like to say being back. I say we’ve moved forward,” said campus minister Brother Richard Galvin, FSC, ” I believe it was 1956, that we moved from Canal street to Second street. So it has a wonderful place in the history of La Salle Academy and really in the history of New York City.”
The all-boys Catholic school moved from E 6th street to E 2nd street over the summer.
The previous building was shared with another school but now these five floors are exclusively for La Salle, providing a better learning experience for senior Joseph Mantilla.
“It’s like we have more access to resources and like, it’s much bigger. so, like, everyone can engage, and we don’t have to be, like, all crammed into, like, three floors as it was in the old building,” said Mantilla.
The lease at their old location was ending and the freshman class grew by 60 percent from 43 to 69 which led to a demand for more space.
Phoenix Nanka-Bruce believes it’s been a good change from public school.
“Pretty different change. It’s different to me. But it’s a good change for me and I like it,” said Nanka-Bruce.
Overall the total number of students has increased by 25%, now at 216 from 173.
One of the new scholars is senior Francisco Martinez.
It was important for him to continue his Catholic education after his last school closed.
“It sure was, as we all need the works of joy in ourselves,” said Martinez.
And now the principal says these young men have a chance to form core memories here.
“This home means a lot to many generations of La Salle and men that this was special. This is where they did their formative years, where they learned and grew in their faith,” said principal, Nicole Freeman.