July 24, 2015

Archdiocese defers study on new Catholic high school south of Indianapolis

Criterion staff report

After an extensive study, the archdiocese has decided not to pursue the possibility of a new Catholic high school south of Indianapolis at the present time.

One of the main factors in the decision was the concern of funding the project. The cost of building a new high school that could serve up to 900 students was estimated at $20 million to $30 million.

Another key factor was the estimated cost of tuition for families: greater than $10,000 a year for a student.

“A new Catholic high school south of Indianapolis remains a dream and a hope for the future of Catholic education in our archdiocese,” said Father William F. Stumpf, archdiocesan vicar general. “I believe we will be able to make that dream a reality down the road. I wish we were in a financial position to make that dream a reality immediately, but I believe we need to be good stewards and not place additional financial challenges on our parishes or the archdiocese at this time.”

The archdiocese was assisted in the first phase of the feasibility study by Meitler Consultants, Inc., a Milwaukee-based company that has consulted with more than 2,000 schools and 500 parishes across the country.

As part of the study, information sessions and focus group meetings were held for the 13 parishes that were identified as potential sources for sending students to a new Catholic high school.

The parishes that were involved in the study are Our Lady of the Greenwood in Greenwood, St. Agnes in Nashville, St. Ann in Indianapolis, St. Bartholomew in Columbus, St. Charles Borromeo in Bloomington, SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi in Greenwood, St. John the Apostle in Bloomington, St. Martin of Tours in Martinsville, St. Paul Catholic Center in Bloomington, St. Rose of Lima in Franklin, St. Susanna in Plainfield, St. Thomas More in Mooresville, and St. Vincent de Paul in Bedford. †

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