West Bend, Wi – The Milwaukee Archdiocese has released a survey to see whether there is interest in a Catholic High School in Washington County, WI. A survey is now being circulated to gauge interest. The survey, found online and below, is due by December 15, 2024. Have you taken the survey? Do you feel there’s a need for a Catholic High School in Washington County?
Click HERE to take the survey
The survey is divided into sections and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
The survey covers a number of specific topics including detailed curriculum questions to the importance of theology, daily Mass, clubs and sports.
In preparing for the survey the Milwaukee Archdiocese held two public meetings where representatives spoke including Rev. Jacob Strand from St. Frances Cabrini, Ed Foy, Catholic school superintendent, and Deacon Bob Dirks.
“If you look at a map where the Catholic High Schools are laid out, there really is a desert from St Mary’s Springs in Fond du Lac all the way south,” said Foy. “Recently, Chesterton Academy was started in Menomonee Falls, but really, to the suburbs of Milwaukee, there is not a Catholic High School option here in this area. People have been talking about a Catholic High School here locally for decades, but there has not been a really successful initiative.”
During the meetings a lot of ground was covered including discussion about the need for a Catholic high school in Washington County, the lack of local Catholic high schools and the Archbishop’s cautious optimism for a community-driven initiative.
An exploratory committee has been meeting for six months, and the first phase involves the parent surveys to gauge interest.
Representatives said the school would focus on a Catholic worldview, classical education, and community. The next steps include building a development plan and securing local support and funds.
Other discussion items included the potential size of the school and the need for private donations, with a focus on starting small and growing over time.
Once the survey is completed the data will be gathered and used to develop a business plan and operational model for the potential school.
This is a working story, and more information will be posted when details are available.
They were looking at a Catholic High School already when my daughters went to holy angels to school in the early 90’s. Wanting to put it on the border of Washington/Ozaukee county lines
then.
Would other area students, from other counties be enrolling or is this just a West Bend Catholic Church decision.
Isn’t enrollment declining that the Public Schools in West Bend are consolidating as per the recent referendum.
Saint Mary’s one of the three grade schools in West Bend closed their school years back . not enough enrollment for operating effectively., cost versus enrollment factors to closing.
Not certain on how the other two Catholics grade schools enrollment is in this economy.
If they want a Catholic high school, can they utilize the Washington county College building seeing that’s empty, or one of the other school buildings intended to be closing by west Bend School District
I sent my daughters to Holy Angels and they both attended West Bend East and had good teachers at each, besides myself supporting them at every step of their education.
They are great young adult women 39 and 36.
Catholic Church’s have to really look at this decision, if it will be a plus or minus for the future.
talk was for years to consolidate the six Catholic Parishes which hasn’t happened because person can’t get along from every parish.
The churches to have consolidated where Cabrini, holy Angels, holy Trinity Newburg, holy Trinity Kewaskum, St Michael’s, and St Mary’s West Bend because of lack of priests and families participating
Guess there are lots of questions prior to a Catholic High School opening. More research needed.