Nearly two centuries after its founding in Troy, the leaders of La Salle Institute announced Tuesday that the school will welcome female students for the first time next September.

“It, perhaps, should’ve been done a lot sooner. Change is just part of life, it’s part of our process,” La Salle’s president and principal Joseph Raczkowski said Wednesday morning. “After 170 years we realized that we are a La Sallian community and a community does not exclude portions of their members from joining so this is the best time.”

A graduate of the school himself, Raczkowski says almost a dozen families have already inquired about enrolling their daughters.

“Our mission will be the same, the building will be the same, La Salle Institute will be La Salle Institute,” Raczkowski said. “There’s not many changes. The only changes we will be making is to welcome the girls.”

Wednesday’s press conference came one day after the decision was announced to faculty, students and alumni. Four generations of Brother Jack Curran’s family have attended La Salle.

“Last night when I chatted with my dad, class of ‘53, he was delighted to hear that now his great-granddaughters and my grand-nieces are able to become part of La Salle’s tradition,” Curran said.

Not all are celebrating the decision, however. So far Raczkowski says no families have decided to withdraw their sons, but a handful have expressed disappointment.

“My message to them is give us a chance, let us talk to you and your son and explain to you what our vision of this is,” Raczkowski said.

Bucking a nationwide trend at religious institutions, Raczkowski says La Salle’s enrollment has grown slightly in recent years. While shifting to a coeducational model is not being done to save the school, he believes it will help ensure its longevity.

“I think the time is right, I think our mission is right and the forward thinking [is right],” Raczkowski said. “If it’s not right today, when will it be right?”