PHILADELPHIA (January 28, 2008) - As a clear reflection of steadfast commitment to Catholic education, Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, opened Catholic Schools Week by announcing that the Archdiocese plans to build two new, state-of-the-art Catholic high schools in Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County and Hilltown Township, Bucks County.

Construction of the Upper Providence facility is scheduled to begin in summer 2008 on a 92-acre property at the intersection of Rittenhouse and Township Line Roads. The target opening date for the new school is September 2010.

The Archdiocese plans to build the second high school on a 63-acre property at the intersection of Limekiln Pike and Rickert Road in Hilltown Township. Currently, construction for the second facility is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2010, pending appropriate funding, and open to students in September 2012.

"I am so pleased to make this announcement as we begin Catholic Schools Week," said Cardinal Rigali. "This investment in the future demonstrates the commitment of the Archdiocese to provide the very best Catholic education for generations to come. It is through modern, state-of-the-art schools and facilities such as these that our administrators and teachers will continue to provide our students not only with formation in the Catholic faith, but also with the best educational tools students need to excel in academics and in life.''

As previously announced by the Archdiocese, the opening of the new school in Upper Providence Township will prompt the relocation of Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School in Norristown, Montgomery County and St. Pius X High School in Pottstown, Montgomery County. Pending adherence to the construction schedule for the new school, Kennedy-Kenrick and St. Pius X will relocate at the end of the 2009-10 school year. Students who are enrolled at these schools during the 2009-2010 school year will receive fast-tracked admission to the new school and begin classes in September 2010.

The completion of the Hilltown facility will prompt the relocation of Lansdale Catholic High School, also as previously announced by the Archdiocese. Currently, the Archdiocese plans to begin construction in 2010 with a target completion date of September 2012. Students who are enrolled at Lansdale Catholic during the 2011-2012 school year will also receive fast-tracked admission to the new school.

"I am thrilled that we are opening two new high schools which are strategically located in high growth areas of the Archdiocese. These schools will offer current and future Catholic students the highest quality education for many years to come," said Jerry Parsons, Chairman of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Board of Education.

The new facilities, with 209,000 square feet each, will offer substantially more room than each of the three aforementioned Catholic secondary schools. Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School is 101,000 square feet, while St. Pius X High School is 67,000 square feet. Lansdale Catholic currently serves more than 800 students in a 60,000 square foot building.

Each new school will feature a 90-seat chapel; more than 30 wireless classrooms; five science laboratories; three computer laboratories and a library/media resource center. Additionally, each school will have a television studio; two art rooms; choral/band rooms; a dedicated 432-seat cafeteria; a 1200-seat auditorium; a 1000-seat main gymnasium, an auxiliary gymnasium and a fitness center. In support of athletic programs, plans also exist for six competition-level sports fields, a running track with an all-weather surface and six competition-level tennis courts for each school. Both schools, with a projected capacity of 1,200 students each, will be fully air conditioned and feature modern security access and surveillance systems.

The decision for the planned construction of these two new high schools followed a multi-year, comprehensive feasibility study conducted by the Archdiocese. This study included the analysis of regional population trends, individual school enrollment forecasts, discussions with groups of community leaders who either favored or opposed the new schools, land/environmental surveys, an architectural evaluation and site planning process and most importantly, extensive, independent surveys of more than 10,000 parents of children who could potentially attend these new facilities.

"The single most important element to this decision was the willingness of area parents to support these new schools and consider them for their children," said Cardinal Rigali. "Without their enthusiasm and interest, we would not have moved forward."

Based upon the results of the feasibility study and an ongoing commitment to provide the best Catholic education to area students, the Archdiocesan Board of Education recommended the two-tiered approach to the construction of these two new high schools. Cardinal Justin Rigali approved this recommendation in January 2008 after consultation with the Archdiocesan Finance Council and the College of Consultors.

For more information about construction and to view architectural renderings of these new Archdiocesan high schools, please visit www.keepingfaithinmind.org.

To obtain architectural renderings of the new Archdiocesan high schools, please email Michelle Bauer at mbauer@fcfschmidtpr.com.

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Donna Farrell
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