A series of studies launched earlier this year to explore expanding Catholic high school options in the Diocese of Raleigh are moving forward. The four regions of eastern North Carolina being evaluated through this process are:
- Coastal (including New Bern/Havelock/Jacksonville/Morehead City)
- Fayetteville (including Pinehurst and Southern Pines)
- Chapel Hill/Durham
- Wilmington
Local School Study Committees in each of the four regions, together with Meitler consultant group are conducting meetings and interviews with individuals and parent groups to gain additional information and invite interest and participation in the studies.
Following the completion of its initial feasibility study, the Chapel Hill/Durham region School Study Committee determined that potential high school enrollment and other demographic data provided by Meitler, warrants additional next steps. The next step will be to conduct a financial analysis including estimating project costs, creating a funding model and establishing a timeline for next steps.
“In each region, there are two key phases of research that will drive decisions and next steps,” explained Dr. Mike Fedewa, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Raleigh. “Phase one looks at potential enrollment; phase two will look at the financial viability of a school from real estate and construction costs through long-term sustainability.”
Concurrent with this second phase of research in the Chapel Hill/Durham region, the data portion of the feasibility study in the Fayetteville region is moving forward. Parent focus groups will be conducted and an online survey will be available for parents with children 12 years of age and younger to measure the level of interest in a new high school in the area and their willingness to possibly enroll their children. Data feasibility studies will begin in the Coastal and Wilmington regions in 2019.
Additional information and updates including access to local surveys for local parishes and schools in the study regions will continue to be available on the Diocese of Raleigh website.