Growing in Faith
Across the diocese, students will be returning to expanded campuses, renovated classrooms and new programs, including the transition to a different stye of learning at Holy Trinity Catholic Academy. (Photos by Troy C. Hull | Catholic News Herald) CHARLOTTE — More than 8,000 students are gearing up to return to Catholic schools across the Diocese of Charlotte beginning Aug. 17, with many to be greeted by improved facilities, new programs, new leaders and new families.
Cubbies and lockers will once again be full as students come back to classrooms starting Aug. 17.
The diocese’s only standalone middle school has a new name to reflect its new approach: Holy Trinity Catholic Academy in Charlotte has begun its transition toward blending the advantages of single-sex and co-ed classes for a more tailored educational experience. Other schools from the mountains to the Triad will unveil new athletic and other facilities, including Charlotte Catholic, Christ the King and Bishop McGuinness high schools.
Enthusiasm for Catholic education continues to remain high, school officials said, with enrollment in diocesan schools holding steady. Many schools are near capacity following years of continued growth.
“There is a great deal to be excited about,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, superintendent of Catholic schools. “Our schools are continuing to grow in different ways, but what is most encouraging is the strong culture taking shape across the diocese.”
He stressed the important contribution Catholic schools make in educating both the mind and the spirit of students.
“We have excellent educators, committed families and school leaders who understand that Catholic education is about strong academic achievement – but also about something more. It’s about forming young people in faith, character and wisdom as disciples of Christ.”
In western North Carolina, the second school year after Hurricane Helene is feeling more like a return to normal.
Last year, some school families had to leave to find new homes or employment after residences and businesses were damaged or destroyed, said Margaret Beale, principal of Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville.
This year, “we’re still seeing some impacts, a few school families that are having to move particularly because a parent’s job never came back after the storm, but in general, everything has settled down,” Beale says. “Everything here is busy, and we’re excited to begin the new year.”
The halls at Our Lady of the Assumption in Charlotte are filled with activity as walls get a fresh coat of paint before students return to campus. Many schools took the summer months to upgrade facilities.
What’s new for 2026-27:
Blended education
Holy Trinity Catholic Academy’s shift toward blended education embraces different learning styles to provide students the best of both worlds, school leaders say. Beginning with sixth graders only this year, single-sex instruction will be offered in core classes such as English and math, while co-ed instruction will continue in electives and extracurricular activities. This approach will phase in over three years, with seventh and eighth grade following over the next two years.
The school is also seeing progress on its three-phase, $11.7 million enhancement project. Thanks partly to a grant of more than $1 million from Shea Homes, the existing athletic field has been regraded, and new drainage and synthetic turf will go in this fall, along with lighting and team benches. As part of the project, the fine arts classrooms are being upgraded with modernized flooring, lighting and instructional equipment.
“While our name has changed, our mission remains the same,” said Kevin Parks, who is beginning his second year as Holy Trinity president after 17 years as principal. “Our new name reflects our enduring commitment to academic excellence, intentional faith formation, and preparing students to lead with confidence, compassion and integrity.”
Parks will work alongside Principal Robert “Bobby” Conrad, beginning his second year in the role, to see that the exciting changes are successful.
At St. Ann School in Charlotte, crews work to complete audiovisual and lighting improvements in the gym and to install acoustic panels in the cafeteria.
Upgrades at high schools
Charlotte Catholic High School is completing the first phase of an $8.5 million program of improvements that include upgrading the football field and sideline to premium artificial turf and renovating its media center into a multi-faceted student life center. Both will be ready for students’ return, said Kurt Telford, who is returning to his role as principal after a two-year stint as head of school. Michael Seeley joins Telford as the school’s president, a role that focuses on long-range planning, community relationships, financial and operational management and fundraising.
Charlotte Catholic has also been raising money to help transform a recently acquired building next to the campus into a Computer, Technology and Engineering Innovation Center, which will house career and technical education. Telford said work on that project is expected to begin this fall.
Christ the King High School in Huntersville will have a new playing surface for its athletic field with expanded bleachers that seat more than 1,000 people, as well as new restrooms and better accessibility. Teams will begin using the new facilities this fall, and a ribbon-cutting is set for Sept. 11.
“Everything is going along better than ‘according to plan,’’’ said Principal Mark Tolcher. “It’s going along great!”
Work is progressing on its $12 million expansion that will increase the school’s footprint by 21,000 square feet to 73,271. The project includes adding a new entry to the gym and a north lobby equipped with concession stands, ticketing booths and a Crusaders Spirit Store for the school’s athletics, band, musical and theatrical events.
Other perks include an expanded weight training area, a chorus and band studio, two additional classrooms, an industrial design workspace and a larger cafeteria with a full kitchen to prepare meals on site. The expansion is expected to be completed after Christmas break.
“The expansion offers us not just an increased footprint but also the ability to offer different programming and an enhanced education experience for both students and faculty,” Tolcher said.
Bishop McGuinness High School is hitting a milestone this year with enrollment reaching more than 500 students for the first time in about 15 years, said President Jared Rashford.
After a successful start last year, Bishop McGuinness is also expanding its St. Gabriel Program, which serves students with intellectual disabilities, to cater to a broader range of learners.
“Through individualized instruction, dedicated teachers and an expanded peer partner program that fosters both academic and social inclusion, we are helping students with diverse learning needs become fully integrated members of the Bishop McGuinness community,” said Principal Claire Willis.
Improvements to the school’s athletic facilities are expected to be complete by the end of August, including construction of six lighted tennis courts and outdoor restrooms and picnic facilities,
Rashford said. The gym floor was replaced and seating increased to accommodate about 800. New flooring is also being laid in the chapel, and the chairs are being reupholstered.
Students from Charlotte Catholic High School help volunteers from St. Gabriel donate used furniture to classrooms in need.
Other summer projects:
Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville recently began renovations of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton House on Oakland Avenue, adjacent to the campus. It serves as home for Principal Beale and several religious sisters and eventually will be used to house teaching interns.
St. Gabriel School donated two truckloads of furniture to schools in need as it updated its classrooms with furniture that adapts to varied uses. Students at St. Patrick School in Charlotte will return to classrooms with gleaming restored wooden floors. Over the summer, carpet in all the classrooms was removed and the original cedar floors, which are more than 90 years old, were restored, said Principal Nicholas Calametti.
At St. Gabriel School, students are returning to new furniture in 14 classrooms, a retiled lobby floor and ongoing athletic field improvements including a new track, new sod and an irrigation system, said Assistant Principal Deven Dickerson.
St. Leo School in Winston-Salem underwent a $2.2 million replacement of its roof and HVAC system. “It is a major project that has long been needed, and it is expected to be done before school starts,” said Emmett Sapp, director of construction and real estate for the Diocese of Charlotte.
St. Mark School in Huntersville replaced the natural turf on its athletic field with artificial turf. The next phase of the project includes installing a playground.
Sacred Heart School in Salisbury is completing an art room funded by a $166,000 Shea Homes grant. To convert a shared space into a fully functional art room, a wall was sealed and soundproofed, storage for art supplies and a sink were incorporated, and interior finishes were upgraded to promote creativity. Existing furniture was replaced with flexible seating to accommodate students of varying ages.
St. Ann School in Charlotte is spotlighting students with audiovisual and lighting enhancements to its performance stage in the gym, as well as the installation of acoustical panels in the cafeteria, all funded by its annual fund.
— Christina Lee Knauss
CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte Foundation manages 106 endowments with a total market value of more than $23 million that generate income to directly aid the diocese’s schools and their students:
- Ad Meliora Endowment Fund: Financial support for facility improvements and beautification initiatives at Christ the King Catholic High School.
- American Schlafhorst Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students at Charlotte Catholic High School
- Archibong Family Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School students who are African American, Indigenous or students of color.
- Asheville Catholic School Endowment Fund: Financial support to retain quality teachers, offer scholarship assistance, provide continuing education for teachers and enhance the school’s curriculum.
- Joseph and Margaret Baldi Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for children of parishioners at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church to attend St. Leo Catholic School in Winston-Salem.
- Heidi Hogan Bell Memorial Endowment Fund: Provides for the general needs of Charlotte Catholic High School.
- Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Endowment Fund: Provides for the general needs of this school in Kernersville.
- Joan W. Books Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for children of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church to attend Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville.
- Don and Mary Gay Brady Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Greensboro.
- Elizabeth Allen Brown Endowment Fund: For the general needs of Catholic elementary and secondary schools and Catholic campus ministries in the Asheville area.
- Father Pat Cahill and Michael Miller Endowment Fund for Academic Support: Academic support at Asheville Catholic School.
- Carr and Jurczyk Family Endowment Fund: Faculty member awards at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School.
- Molly Cassidy Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance to parishioners of St. Pius X Church to attend St. Pius X School, both in Greensboro.
- Catholic Education Endowment Fund: Scholarships for students attending Catholic elementary schools in the diocese.
- Charlotte Catholic High School Alumni Association Board Discretionary Endowment Fund: For the general needs of Charlotte Catholic High School at the board’s discretion.
- Charlotte Catholic High School Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarships for graduating seniors to attend a college of their choice.
- Charlotte Catholic High School Endowment Fund: Benefits Charlotte Catholic High School.
- Sister M. Joanice Cohen & Sister M. Elizabeth Fowkes, IHM Endowment Fund: Financial support to promote long-term recruitment, training and development of teachers at Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville.
- Cornelius Alexander Davis II Tuition Assistance Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Leo the Great Catholic School in Winston-Salem.
- Digger Dawson Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church attending Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville.
- Derhofer Family Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville.
- Deussen Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarships for Catholic high school education in the greater Charlotte area.
- Stephen and Jessica Dey Options Endowment Fund: Benefits the “Options” programs at diocese schools.
- Diocesan Educational Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students within the diocese attending a Catholic elementary or high school.
- Faucette Endowment Fund: Financial assistance for the educational ministry of the diocese’s schools.
- Barbara Fellerhoff and Jim Coddington Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at of Asheville Catholic School.
- FFHL Tuition Assistance Endowment Fund: Established through Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love Diocesan Campaign, this fund provides tuition assistance for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte.
- Gayden and Janell Gauthier Family Endowment Fund: Technology and infrastructure updates and tuition assistance for students of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church to attend Immaculata Catholic School, both in Hendersonville.
- Mary Gay and Don Brady Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for faculty members’ children in the Piedmont-Triad area Catholic schools to attend Bishop McGuiness Catholic High School in Kernersville.
- O’Brien and William Edward Gibbs Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Asheville Catholic School.
- Gismondi Family Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for children of St. Mark Catholic Church parishioners to attend Christ the King Catholic High School in Huntersville.
- Bobby Grant Memorial Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students attending Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville.
- Megan Healy Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students at St. Patrick Catholic School in Charlotte.
- Edith and George Hilbert Endowment Fund: Financial support for the education of students at Asheville Catholic School.
- Holy Family Catholic Church Scholarship Endowment Fund: Catholic school tuition assistance (K-12) for members of Holy Family Catholic Church in Clemmons.
- Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School Endowment Fund: Supports the general needs of Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School.
- Immaculata Catholic School Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students at this school in Hendersonville.
- Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at this school in High Point.
- Roger Kavanagh Tuition Assistance Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Pius X Catholic School in Greensboro.
- Knights of Columbus 11911 of St. Eugene for Asheville Catholic School Endowment Fund: For the general needs of this school.
- Isaac A. Kohl Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship for students matriculating from St. Pius X Catholic School to Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School.
- Leeolou Family Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools families.
- LeFeber Endowment: General needs of Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville.
- LoBianco Family Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students attending diocesan Catholic schools.
- Alexander and Brenda Lyerly Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for children with financial need to attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte.
- Lorraine J. Malphurs Endowment Fund: Student testing fees at St. Pius X Catholic School in Greensboro.
- Manley Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students of families at St. Eugene Catholic Church to attend Asheville Catholic School.
- Catherine McAuley Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarships to Catholic students attending Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools.
- Bryant McDermott Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance to students of Charlotte Catholic High School and Holy Trinity Middle School in Charlotte.
- Francis J. McGrail Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance to students of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School in High Point.
- Leonard F. McGinley Family Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for children of Holy Family Catholic Church in Clemmons.
- Lee McGuiness Endowment Fund: Benefits the Charlotte Catholic High School Alumni Association.
- Sandy McMonagle Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School in Winston-Salem.
- Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) Education Endowment Fund: Assistance to the nine MACS schools in the Charlotte area.
- Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) Special Needs Endowment Fund: For MACS’ students with special needs.
- Dr. Stanley Michalski Jr. Endowment Fund: Assistance for the MACS band programs.
- Katelyn Mitchell Student Athlete Scholarship Endowment Fund: For the benefit of a student-athlete in sixth, seventh or eighth grade at St. Pius X Catholic School in Greensboro.
- Eleanor C. Murphy Educational Trust Scholarship Endowment Fund: Provides scholarships for students from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Salisbury.
- Monsignor Lawrence C. Newman Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School in Winston-Salem.
- Victor M. Nussbaum Jr. Educational Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Pius X Catholic School in Greensboro.
- Chris and Margaret Onulak Endowment Fund: General needs of Asheville Catholic School.
- Our Lady of Grace School Endowment Fund: General needs of this school in Greensboro.
- Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School Fund: General needs of this school in Charlotte.
- Poutré Family Endowment Fund: General needs of Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville.
- Quinn Family Endowment Fund: General needs of Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville.
- George L. Repass Memorial Tuition Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville.
- Sister Geri Rogers Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School in Winston-Salem.
- Clark G. Ross Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for Catholic high school students from Catholic parishes in Mecklenburg, Iredell, Cabarrus and Rowan counties.
- Clark G. Ross St. Therese Catholic Church Scholarship Endowment Fund: Assistance for college age parishioners at St. Therese Catholic Church in Mooresville.
- Ruggieri Family Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School.
- Sacred Heart School Catholic Endowment Fund: General needs of this school in Salisbury.
- Sheridan-Mangan Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Asheville Catholic School.
- Monsignor Joseph S. Showfety Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students enrolled in Catholic grade school or high school and reside in Guilford or Forsyth County.
- Monsignor Joseph S. Showfety Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students of this school.
- Sisters of Mercy Scholarship Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Michael Catholic School in Gastonia.
- Sisters of St. Joseph Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for Bishop McGuinness students.
- Victoria Sleeman Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarships for students of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church to attend Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville.
- Frank Spinks Endowment Fund: Professional development activities for the staff at Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville.
- Mary Spinks Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance to minority students at Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville.
- Michelle Stanley Scholarship Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance at St. Mark Catholic School in Huntersville.
- St. Ann Catholic School Endowment Fund: General needs of this school in Charlotte.
- St. Frances Cabrini Scholarship Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for St. Pius X Catholic School students from first-generation families.
- St. Gabriel Catholic School Endowment Fund: General needs of this school in Charlotte.
- St. Joseph Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students at Asheville Catholic School.
- St. Lawrence Council (1695) Student Scholarship Endowment Fund: Financial assistance for the educational needs of council members’ and deceased members’ children.
- St. Leo Catholic School Endowment Fund: General needs of this school in Winston-Salem.
- St. Mark Catholic School Endowment Fund: General needs of this school in Huntersville.
- St. Mary’s Catholic Church Scholarship Endowment Fund: Tuition aid for the children of parishioners from St. Mary’s Catholic Church who attend Our Lady of Grace Catholic School or St. Pius X Catholic School, both in Greensboro, or Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville.
- St. Matthew School Endowment Fund: General needs of this school in Charlotte.
- St. Michael School Endowment Fund: General needs of this school in Gastonia.
- St. Patrick Catholic School Endowment Fund: General needs of this school in Charlotte.
- St. Pius X School Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at this school in Greensboro.
- Michael Sullivan Endowment Fund: For general fine arts department needs at Charlotte Catholic High School or non-profit support compatible with known interest of Michael Sullivan.
- Theresa Lasecki Talbert Scholarship Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville.
- Remo and Carolyn Termini Endowment Fund: Scholarships for students attending Asheville Catholic School.
- John Michael Thompson Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Salisbury.
- F. Joseph Treacy Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students in all nine MACS schools.
- Villalon Family Endowment Fund: General needs of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School.
- Sabrina Watt Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students attending MACS schools.
- Florence B. Werden Memorial Endowment Fund: General needs of Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville.
- Kurtis D. Williams Flight Scholarship Endowment Fund: Flight-related assistance for aviation students at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville.
- Sister Paulette Williams Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarships for graduating Charlotte Catholic High School seniors to attend a college of their choice.
- Mary Jane Winfrey Endowment Fund: General needs of Asheville Catholic School.
- Woelfel Family Endowment Fund: Students’ educational purposes at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Greensboro.
- Wos-Dejoy Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Pius X Catholic School in Greensboro.
- Sister Emma Yondura Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Leo Catholic School in Winston-Salem.
Endowments aid students, schools
Over $9.0 million has been distributed from 106 endowments to directly benefit students and schools.