In response to the growing Catholic population in the eastern North Carolina region served by the Diocese of Raleigh and interest among the faithful in expanding Catholic secondary school options, the diocese is conducting a series of studies to explore the feasibility of adding additional high schools to the two currently operating within the diocese.
The four regions that will be evaluated through this process are the Coastal region (including New Bern/Havelock/Jacksonville/Morehead City); the Fayetteville region (including Pinehurst and Southern Pines); the Triangle region (Chapel Hill and Durham); and the Wilmington region.
The feasibility studies will form a preliminary vision for proposed schools by conducting market research surveys and integrating survey results with demographic data and determining enrollment potential. Specific issues to be explored and addressed in this process include:
- What will the long-term demographic population look like in each geographic area?
- Is there sufficient long-term enrollment growth to ensure the success and viability of a school?
- Will area families support enrollment and/or pay for a quality Catholic high school education?
The studies will be conducted over the next 12 months. If the research findings demonstrate support for sufficient enrollment, the planning process would continue for the proposed high school(s) to determine financial feasibility and assess costs related to planning and construction.
In addition to this work begun by the diocese, the Cristo Rey Network® is conducting separate feasibility research regarding the establishment of a Cristo Rey® high school in the Research Triangle area. The Cristo Rey® model integrates college preparatory academics with professional work experience to equip students from economically-disadvantaged families with the knowledge, character, academic and work skills to transform their lives. Should this separate study indicate support for this model, the school would be locally owned and operated as part of the Cristo Rey Network® of more than 30 Catholic, college preparatory schools across the country.