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regional Catholic high school for southern Madison County,
Illinois has been discussed and proposed for several years,
and now it is becoming a reality. The high school, to be located
in the Glen Carbon/Maryville area, is now developing under
the leadership of the Catholic School for Me Board and with
the blessing and support of Bishop Lucas and the Diocese of
Springfield in Illinois. Please read the below press release
for more information:
8/14/2008
Press Release
The Father McGivney Catholic
High School is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2011 with
two classes—freshmen and sophomores (the graduating classes
of 2014 and 2015) - the students currently entering 6th and
7th grade. For more information, contact the Father McGivney
Catholic High School Organization at 618-772-9955.
Father McGivney Catholic
High School Committees!
We welcome anyone who is interested in getting
involved in one of the committees below to contact us via the
registration form. We'd love
to have the input and expertise of as many volunteers as possible.
Capital Campaign Steering Committee -- Maureen Wangard, chairperson
The Fundraising Committee supports the professionals conducting the capital campaign for the new Catholic high
school. We work with the professionals to plan the campaign strategy and organize the volunteers needed to
carry out the tasks for the duration of the campaign. This committee handles the paperwork associated with
campaign donations by keeping track of money raised and recognizing donors for their gifts and volunteers for
their time. Special fundraising events will also be planned by this committee. We will work to establish the
permanent development office of the new Catholic high school to ensure that it is financially sound from the
day the school opens. The Fundraising Committee needs creative people who can think outside the box for
fundraising strategies and ways to reach the public to generate excitement about financially supporting their
new Catholic high school.
Site Selection Committee -- Dr. Chris Wangard, chairperson
The site selection committee will locate a suitable site for the establishment of the school. It will identify
available properties within or near the ideal area described in the feasibility study. Additionally, this
committee will pursue, if possible, donation of suitable land. After identification of potential sites, the
committee will evaluate the merits of each site, which might include location, accessibility, price, topography,
size, and environmental features. This committee's work will conclude with a recommendation to the Board
regarding site acquisition.
Design & Building Committee -- Mary Beth Wilson and Gregg Korte, chairpersons
The purpose of the Design & Building Committee is to solicit, evaluate, contract, and work with prospective
architectural and engineering (A/E) firms to successfully build the structure and supporting athletic fields;
all the while knowing that this building is much more than bricks and mortar. This building, with its chapel
square in the center, will help to facilitate the faith formation, academic learning, and physical strength of
our youth, now and for years to come. This committee will meet monthly to discuss past and future activities.
We will be working with, taking advice from, and providing direction to professionals in the architectural,
engineering, and construction fields. Members of this committee should have some working knowledge of project
management, permitting, design, land development, facility layout, scheduling, budgeting, and/or construction.
Faith Formation Committee -- Fr. Tom Meyer, chairperson
 The
Faith Formation Committee will research and design a unique faith
formation program for faculty, staff, parents, and students to
make this a Catholic high school, not only in name, but in spirit
and faith. It will ensure that Catholic identity is integral in
every aspect of the high school, and not just an added component.
Through Faith Formation, this committee will strive to build a
program that will create life-long Catholic citizens, inspiring
and challenging students by fostering spiritual growth, Catholic
moral values, and the development of individual gifts and talents.
Public Relations & Marketing Committee -- Luke Harris, chairperson
The Public Relations & Marketing Committee builds excitement! It is the voice of the Fr. McGivney
Catholic High School Board to the public. It generates enthusiasm by communicating our progress and
needs to the parishes, schools, papers, radio stations, and TV. This committee will plan events to
raise awareness in local communities by having stands at church/school "fests," publicizing our
accomplishments, keeping the public up to date on our progress, and organizing ground breaking ceremonies.
The PR/Marketing Committee will also maintain the Fr. McGivney Catholic High School
website and be responsible for monthly/quarterly newsletters. It will also provide marketing tools - T-shirts,
balloons, banners, signs - to build awareness and excitement for a new Catholic high school. Ultimately, this
committee will be involved in determining the school mascot, logo, and colors and help use these visual
identities to build student recruitment.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
FR. MICHAEL McGIVNEY?
The high school will be named for Reverend Father Michael J.
McGivney, the parish priest who founded the Knights of Columbus
and is remembered for his devotion and commitment to young people
and families. On his way to becoming the first American-born priest
to be canonized a saint, Father McGivney demonstrated heroic virtue
which has been recognized by Pope Benedict XVI and the Church,
as he has been given the distinction of “Venerable Servant
of God.” The Knights of Columbus, who have a strong and positive
presence in Southern Madison County, and in many parts of the
world, are recognized defenders of Catholic education. Our high
school will honor not only Father McGivney and all dedicated parish
priests, but literally millions of Knights who have selflessly
provided service and charity to people for more than 125 years.
Learn more about Fr. McGivney and his dedication to youth and
families in the book, Parish Priest: Father Michael McGivney
and American Catholicism by Douglas Brinkley and Julie Fenster
or by visiting www.fathermcgivney.org.
10-Point Vision Statement for a Proposed
New Catholic High School:
- It will be a coeducational institution dedicated to fostering a strong Catholic identity through worship, service, and a clear presence in the parish community.
- It will receive North Central Association accreditation by offering a vibrant curriculum of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, physical education, technological arts, health, performance arts, extracurricular activities, and religious studies.
- It will have a curriculum designed to promote superior academic achievement that will include honors courses as well as courses designed to meet the needs of students of all varying academic abilities.
- It will be staffed by fully certified administrators, faculty, and staff committed to the mission of forming life-long Catholic citizens.
- It will offer an increasing array of extracurricular activities and athletics, including opportunities in a variety of sporting, academic, social, musical, dramatic, and cultural pursuits.
- It will have the goal of a student population of 400-600, beginning with a freshman class and adding a class each subsequent year.
- It will be situated in a site conveniently located to the six Catholic grades schools and eight parishes of southern Madison County. It will open with new facilities on a site that can be expanded to meet the student population goal of 400 students and beyond.
- It will have tuition based income comparable to other local Catholic high schools.
- It will not be administered by the Diocese of Springfield, but will seek the support of the Bishop, local pastors, and parishes.
- It will be governed by a nonprofit corporation with a local board of parents, clergy, and parishioners. It will employ the president/principal model of administration.
Past Press Releases:
- 2/27/2008 -- Catholic High School Town Hall Meetings Scheduled
- 1/30/2008 -- Study Concludes New Catholic High School
Is Feasible in Southern Madison County
- 8/7/2007 -- Catholic School For Me Commissions
Feasibility Study for a New Catholic High School
- 5/16/2006 -- Catholic School For Me to Host Second Open Meeting at 7 PM on May 18, 2006 at Ss. Peter & Paul
- 3/28/2006 -- Catholic School For Me to Host Open Meeting at 7 PM on May 4, 2006 at St. Mary's in Edwardsville
- 10/3/2005 -- Catholic School For Me to Host Metro-East Catholic High School Fair
- 7/14/2005 -- Catholic School For Me Completes Survey
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Fr. McGivney Catholic High School Board:
- Doug Villhard -- President
- Maureen Wangard -- Vice-President, Fundraising Committee Chairperson
- Mary Beth Wilson -- Secretary, Design & Building Committee Co-Chairperson
- Robin McGranahan -- Treasurer
- Dr. Chris Wangard -- Site Selection Committee Chairperson
- Gregg Korte -- Design & Building Committee Co-Chairperson
- Rev. Tom Meyers -- Advisor, Faith Formation Chairperson
- Luke Harris -- PR/Marketing Chairperson
- John & Sherry Gibbons -- Board Members
- Mike Palmer -- Board Member
- Steve and Kristi Harkins -- Board Members
- Lisa Kraus -- Board Member
- Diane Villhard -- Board Member
- Celeste Korte -- Board Member
May God Bless our efforts and help us continue to give the gift
of a Catholic education to children in our growing area.
Catholic Grade Schools in Southern Madison County
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