Survey finds support for proposed Catholic high school in Gloucester County

A recent survey of parents from 30 parishes and 15 elementary schools in the diocese found support for a new Catholic high school in Gloucester County if it were to be built by the diocese.

The diocese has not made a final decision regarding the project. It is still evaluating the feasibility of establishing the new school to determine if the level of support indicated by the survey will be sufficient relative to the cost involved.  Bishop Galante also must obtain the input of the Diocesan Finance Council and College of Consultors before a final decision is made.

“There still is considerable work to be done before a final decision can be made on this project. However, the parent survey is encouraging because it indicates interest in the proposed new school,” said Andrew Walton, spokesman for the diocese.

The survey of parish families with school-aged children was commissioned by the diocese and conducted in April and May by Meitler Consultants, Inc. of Wisconsin.  The study evaluated the feasibility of and the long-term sustainability of a high school in Gloucester County and the potential impact on other Catholic schools in the diocese, including Gloucester Catholic High School, which would be relocated to the new site.

The study also assessed the willingness of parents to meet the cost of tuition and to support a capital fund that would be established to pay for the new school.

Almost 1,700 completed surveys were returned out of 6,900 mailed, for a 25 percent response rate.

The survey found that parents placed a high value on a Catholic education for their children, but have not had easy, convenient access to a nearby Catholic high school. The survey indicated that parents want a new high school, but are also concerned about the cost of tuition. This was especially true of those parents who would have multiple children enrolled. “Financial assistance will be essential” for these families, the report concludes.

The survey indicated that a school of about 1,200 students could be sustained. “If population projections are realized, that level of enrollment could be sustained with a distinctive, competitive academic program, aggressive marketing and significant financial assistance,” said the report.37 percent of all respondents said they would likely or definitely enroll in the new school if it were built.  Of those families with ninth graders currently attending Gloucester Catholic High School, the number increased to 75 percent.  Of those families from Gloucester County with students currently in 9th grade at Gloucester Catholic High School, 82 percent said they would definitely or likely enroll.

With demographic trends indicating continued growth in southern Gloucester County, the Diocese of Camden last August announced that it was considering locating a new 200,000 square foot, 1,200 student Catholic high school on a 100 acre site off Route 77 in Mullica Hill, Harrison Township.  While Gloucester County is the fastest growing of the six South Jersey counties that comprise the diocese, it does not have a Catholic high school.

The Meitler report, citing Census data, projects that Gloucester County will experience 28 percent growth from 2000-2020, while Camden County, which currently has four Catholic high schools, will grow by only 2 percent.

The present Gloucester Catholic facility in Camden County is landlocked, lacks parking, athletic fields and space to grow. Fifty percent of respondents supported the relocation of Gloucester Catholic High School to Gloucester County, 27 percent disagreed, the rest expressed no opinion.  The survey concluded that relocating Gloucester Catholic to the proposed site “would be advantageous by providing a unified and cohesive campus, allow for greater security and safety for students, and provide growth potential for the future” with respect to enrollment, programs and activities.

The Meitler report indicated that the new high school would have some impact on other Catholic high schools in the area that have been reaching into Gloucester County for their students, but that the effect would be mitigated by the reduction from four to three high schools in Camden County and increased marketing efforts.

Last September, the Harrison Township planning board signaled its support for the project in a letter to town council and in November, the town council moved to include the site in its sewer service area. Earlier this year, the diocese made application with the state Department of Environmental Protection to amend the Harrison Township sewer service plan to include the site. The diocese is awaiting the results of that application.

In addition to the parent survey, due diligence and other studies have been undertaken in recent months, including environmental studies, a topographical and wetlands survey, as well as roadway engineering and utility studies. Site plans and preliminary building plans are being developed.

Land Dimensions Engineering of Glassboro has been retained by the diocese for site plan development. A preliminary schematic design has been developed by the architectural design firm of Manders/Merighi Associates of Vineland. Stanker and Galetto of Vineland is the building contractor.

Pending state and local approvals, as well as successful completion of the project feasibility study, the proposed school could open for the 2010-11 school year, if the diocese proceeds with the plan.

There are 10 Catholic high schools serving 6,700 students in the six counties of the diocese. The last Catholic high school built by the diocese was Paul VI High School in Hadd
on Township in 1965.