Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of school will Father McGivney Catholic High School be?
Our new high school will not be a "private" school, but a Catholic high school. It will offer a well-rounded, faith-based, fully accredited, academically excellent experience.  WIth brand new facilities, McGivney will have a well-designed curriculum in an environment that makes the best use of technology and a dedicated faculty and staff. McGivney students will have the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of athletic and extracurricular activities, as well as helping form the first traditions of a brand new high school.

With the chapel front and center, both physically and symbolically, Father McGivney Catholic High School will incorporate faith formation throughout its curriculum, its faculty and staff, and its student family. Inspired by Pope John Paul II's teaching on the sanctity of all human life and Father Michael McGivney's dedication to service and family values, McGivney's unique faith formation program will be centered around these principles. Students of various classes, academic levels, and interests will share a homeroom and support one another in a "house" model that encourages inclusion and respect. The faith-based and values-oriented education provided by Father McGivney Catholic High School will strengthen the ethical fiber of our community and prepare students for responsible citizenship.

When will the school open and for which age group of students?
Father McGivney Catholic High School will open in the fall of 2011 with freshman and sophomore classes. That means that students in grades 7 and 8 in the 2009-2010 school year will make up the first two classes admitted. Each succeeding year a class will be added, so that by the 2014-2015 school year the high school will have all four classes of students.

Where will the school be located?
Father McGivney Catholic High School will be located in Glen Carbon, central to one of the fastest growing areas of the Springfield diocese. The school will be built on an ample tract of almost 80 acres at the intersection of Bouse Rd. and Old Troy Rd. (about a mile northeast of Anderson Hospital) — perfectly central to our feeder Catholic grade schools and well-placed for visibility and access.

Can I afford to send my children to McGivney?
While the tuition amount has not yet been set, the cost of sending a student to McGivney will be similar to other nearby Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Springfield — a small and wise investment when you consider the rewards. The numbers speak for themselves... The National Catholic Education Association published the facts on SAT scores — Catholic high school graduates scored an average of 137 points higher overall in 2008.  The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reports high school graduation rates at over 98 percent in Catholic high schools versus 71 percent in public schools, and over 94 percent of Catholic high school graduates go on to college. For families that are committed to Catholic high school education, but can't make the financial investment, plans are in process to assure that tuition assistance will be available and a continuing priority for the school.

What will Father McGivney Catholic High School look like?
While the high school and all of its facilities and athletic fields will be built in phases, you can get a great overall vision for the building by glancing in the window of the FMCHS business office at 1043 Century Drive in Edwardsville. There you will find a scale model of the complete project. For a more detailed view, check out the architect's latest renderings.

Does the new high school have the support of the Bishop and the Diocese of Springfield?
Bishop Lucas made his support clear. The Catholic Times, official newspaper of the Diocese of Springfield, wrote, in announcing the new school, "Most Reverend George J. Lucas stated, 'I am very proud of these Catholic lay men and women who have so diligently explored the feasibility of a new Catholic high school. They have proceeded prayerfully and competently, investing so much of themselves in the process. I am confident that God will continue to bless their faith and their desire to serve the young people of the community. I offer my full support to this new Catholic educational apostolate.'" Indeed, the Diocese of Springfield purchased and donated the property where Father McGivney Catholic High School will be built.

Will McGivney be open to non-Catholics?
The school will be available to students from any family interested in the Catholic values-based education it will offer. While there will be no specific effort to evangelize students of other faiths, all facets of the curriculum and the school requirements will be effective for non-Catholic students.

How large will Father McGivney Catholic High School be?
Based upon the feasibility study and our knowledge of the available pool of Catholic students in the area, we anticipate that the school will eventually be in the range of 400-600 students.

How can I be assured that a new Catholic high school will offer a competitive curriculum?
Father McGivney Catholic High School will be staffed by experienced, credentialed faculty and administration with proven records of academic success. The curriculum will reflect the latest approaches to secondary education to help students of varying academic abilities achieve their greatest potential.

Will McGivney have a full complement of co-curricular and athletic activities?
Sports and extracurricular activities will be an important and essential part of McGivney students' high school experience. For every interest where there are 3-4 students and a faculty sponsor, a club can be formed. An Athletics Committee is forming two years in advance of the opening of the school with goals for investigating IHSA compliance, booster clubs, field and facility requirements, and staff recruitment.

Will McGivney be staffed or administered by diocesan priests or members of a religious order?
A president and principal who will be under the jurisdiction of a school board will administer Father McGivney Catholic High School. The school board will operate under the supervision of the Diocese of Springfield. We are in discussion with a religious order in hopes that they will provide a Catholic religious presence at the school through teaching and campus ministry activities. We are also exploring the possibility of assuring that a priest or priests will be part of the everyday operation of the school.

Will transportation be offered for students who may live some distance from the school?
The various options for transportation for students who may live on the fringes of the target area are being carefully examined, with the goal of providing some type of transportation to make attendance at the school more feasible for them.