Findlay Prep players to be allowed to continue studies at Henderson International

The Findlay Prep boys basketball program plans to continue operating at The Henderson International School, head of school Brian Siegel said Tuesday.

Findlay Prep’s future was left in limbo when Henderson International announced in February it would no longer operate a high school campus, which Findlay Prep players had attended, because of declining enrollment and the troubled economy.

Henderson International remained open for preschool through eighth-grade students. But Siegel said an arrangement has been worked out in which Findlay Prep players will continue in a high school curriculum.

“They’re going to be working with teachers and their academic subjects,” Siegel said. “There will be English, history, math, science, foreign language. There will be five or six teachers available for working with them.”

Siegel said Findlay Prep will continue to be backed financially by local auto dealership magnate Cliff Findlay, who could not be reached for comment.

Siegel said Findlay Prep’s future at the school wasn’t necessarily in doubt but wasn’t always a sure thing, either.

“There was a time we didn’t know whether it would be feasible, because if they can’t get a good education, it’s not feasible from my standpoint as an educator,” he said.

Findlay Prep had been expected to remain at Henderson International for weeks. Still, Pilots coach Michael Peck called it a “huge relief” to know his program will be able to stay.

“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” Peck said. “Our players and teams have accomplished pretty good things and they’ve reached a level of success.”

Findlay Prep has won the past two ESPN RISE National High School Invitational titles and has lost only three games in the past three seasons combined.

In June, guard Avery Bradley became the first Findlay Prep graduate to reach the NBA. The Texas guard was drafted 19th overall by the Boston Celtics.