Why a Catholic high school? The mission of the school is to further the spiritual growth and development of high school students in the Roman Catholic tradition.

What kind of high school will this be? A faith-based, college-preparatory HS in the Roman Catholic tradition is planned.

How will the school be financed? A cost-based tuition fee schedule will be used for day to day operations of the school.

What about the cost of building the school itself? Building the HS structure will be accomplished through private contributions and aggressive institutional advancement campaigns.

Will my parish church be responsible for any costs of the high school? Independently, parish churches may decide to initiate tuition assistance to benefit students from their parish that attend the HS and may need financial assistance.

How many students will attend this school? The first year class will optimally have at least 30 students.  It is anticipated that over 4-5 years each new class will average approximately 100 students per grade.

Who will the faculty members be? Faculty will be hired from among the large pool of talented, experienced and certified instructors residing in the region.

Will the teachers be full-time instructors? Initially most faculty members will be contract instructors.  As the school grows we anticipate more full–time instructors to be hired.

Will a school counselor and class advisor be available? Personal and career counseling are key services to be provided.

What sports programs will be offered? Depending on interest and class size, traditional sports of volleyball, soccer, tennis, cross country and basketball will be offered during the first year.  As the school enrollment increases football, baseball, softball and track will be considered (depending on interest and facility development).  Other sports not currently offered may be available through the local parks and recreation division.  Participation in an established school sports league is anticipated.

Will the school have a gymnasium? The gymnatorium is a priority for the first phase of development of the permanent facility.  In the interim, the HS will contract for use of other nearby facilities.

What will tuition be? The fee schedule was determined on a cost-based formula.   For the 2010-2011 school year tuition will be $7800 per student.

How large will the classes be? Class size will be determined by the subject matter and the specific course that is offered.  In the initial year, the class may be broken down into two sections for homerooms and various elective courses.  Some courses will be offered for the entire class of students.  Based on interests, elective courses may be offered to a smaller group of students.

How long have plans for the school been in the making? Planning for a diocesan HS in eastern NC has been intermittently ongoing since the late 1980s at which time a supportive feasibility study was obtained.  Approximately 65 acres of land for the proposed school was purchased by the diocese about 10 years ago on Dickinson Avenue adjacent to St. Gabriel’s parish.

Why now? Favorable factors such as encouragement  and support of Bishop Burbidge, a desire for faith-based education,  an increasing Catholic student population, available existing facilities, and an ample qualified teacher work force, have come together to make an eastern NC Catholic HS a reality.

Will the school have full media availability including computers and wireless internet? Yes.  The school will strive to be at the technological forefront of education.

What will the curriculum be? A curriculum based on the North Carolina Course of Study and similar to that already in place at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh will be used.  Theology will be a key faith-based component of the curriculum.  Service to the community will be an additional focus.