Norbel School May Be Shutting Down

The private Norbel School, a nonprofit organization that teaches children in grades 1 through 12 with learning differences, is closing July 1 due to declining enrollment and “crushing” debt, according to a press release from the school's attorney.

The school  this year, reporting at the time that it served 80 to 100 children with learning differences.

According to a press release from attorney Harry B. Siegel, the board of directors voted to close the school unless more students enrolled and “appropriate financial arrangements can be made” with its commercial lender.

"Norbel School, a private, non-profit school serving children in grades 1-12 with learning differences, has been forced to close at the conclusion of the 2010-2011 academic year due to years of declining enrollment and crushing debt," the press release said.

 opened in 1981 with seven students, located in a classroom donated by a Jewish family in Pikesville. The school remained in Pikesville until 10 years ago when the founders–child psychologist Norma Hauserman-Campbell and Robert Lawrence Campbell, who specialized in behavioral psychology—purchased the former Elkridge school building on Old Washington Road.

Norbel was based on the idea that every student can be 100 percent successful, Sharon DellaRose, M. Ed., head of the school, said at the time of the anniversary. She noted that the curriculum was individualized to match each student's needs.

As of this past school year, enrollment had decreased nearly 40 percent, to the point of approaching insolvency, according to the press release.