CHARLOTTE — A joyful sense of school spirit filled the campus at Charlotte Catholic High School Tuesday as the school held a ribbon-cutting for its newly turfed football field and a new Student Life Center.
Bishop Michael Martin joined school officials, diocesan staff, students, parents and benefactors for the blessings and ceremony, which included prayer, Scripture readings and reflections.
Michael Seeley, the new president of Charlotte Catholic, remarked on what the improvements mean for the school’s tight-knit community.
“Today is about much more than a remodeled building and new turf,” Seeley said. “Today is about the people of our Charlotte Catholic community. It’s about the people who had a vision for what Charlotte Catholic could and can become…the people who believed in that vision enough to invest in it, and about the young people who will make memories here for years to come.”
Seeley started his position while the premium turf was being placed and work on the student life center, located in the former library space, was going on.
“When I arrived at Charlotte Catholic this summer, one of the things that struck me immediately was the strength of this community,” Seeley said. “There is a deep affection and passion for this school, a pride in its history, a commitment to its Catholic identity and a genuine belief that what happens here matters.”
He noted that the field, which will serve sports ranging from football to lacrosse and soccer, offers something for every student: “A freshman who’s not sure she belongs finds a team. A kid who has never been pushed that hard finds out what he is capable of…a group of teenagers learns that they are responsible to somebody other than themselves.”
The Student Life Center, which offers expansive space for collaboration as well as quiet spots for individual study, will be “a place for students to gather…to connect …to serve … to build community.”
Bishop Martin talked about the Aug. 21 football game he attended and the fan excitement he saw. He noted that he met a group of students who were enjoying the Friday night game and then had to get up the next morning to take SATs in preparation for college. That kind of commitment, he said, illustrates the life Catholic students should try to live.
“Don’t’ be afraid of hard things and don’t think are the last hard things you’re going to have to do,” he said. “Throughout our lives, Jesus invites us to the cross … Learn that and embrace it the way Jesus did. Say ‘I’m willing to do what’s hard for the sake of a greater glory.’”
After the ribbon-cuttings, a reception was held in the Student Life Center and guests were invited to the new student commons area, which gives students a place to rest and gather during breaks between classes.
Senior Liana Grasso, who is on the dance team and serves as student body vice president, said the improvements have brought a real sense of excitement to the school.
“I honestly can say this is bringing us in the right direction – there’s a fun-filled school spirit vibe,” she said. “You could really tell the excitement the students had when they were around the new football field on Friday night.”
The improvements are being funded by “Grounded in Tradition: Focused on the Future,” an $8.5 million capital campaign launched in February for the multi-phased project. Its next phases will include transforming a small office building adjacent to the campus into the Computer, Technology and Engineering Innovation Center, which will support classes in engineering, robotics and other technologies.
The final phase of the project is a new field house with flexible space for sports performance, recovery and athletics training as well as other classes and activities.
The total cost of the improvements is expected to be $10.5 million, including a $2 million contribution from the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools Capital Fee. Choate Construction is the contractor of the project and Little and Associates are the architects.
— Christina Lee Knauss. Photos by Troy C. Hull
CHARLOTTE — Catholic school students across the Diocese of Charlotte returned to improved facilities, expanded programs and new educational models and leaders, as schools wrapped up summer construction projects and widespread refresh work.
More than 8,244 students return to schools from Asheville to Charlotte to Greensboro starting this week, with most of the diocese’s 20 schools at or near capacity following years of steady growth.
Bishop Michael Martin urged them and their parents via a series of video messages to put Jesus at center of their lives and to share Him with others in their classrooms and communities. His uplifting message “let them hear your voice” set the tone for a new academic year filled with faith, fellowship and a love of learning.
Read about some improvements and upgrades at the Catholic schools.
— Photos by Troy C. Hull, Brian Segovia, Lisa M. Geraci, Christina Knauss, Kevin Eagan and provided
Holy Trinity Catholic Academy
Holy Trinity Catholic Academy’s eighth graders kicked off their school year this morning with a warm welcome from Principal Kevin Parks. The newly named academy will welcome seventh-graders on Tuesday, followed by sixth-graders on Wednesday.
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.
Our Lady of the Assumption School
School is officially back in session. Superintendent Dr. Greg Monroe helped kick off the first day of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Charlotte, greeting students alongside teachers and one VERY enthusiastic new member of the Our Lady of the Assumption School family... the Phoenix! New year. New adventures. New mascot. Let’s make it a great one!
St. Matthew School
All smiles as students return to St. Matthew School in Charlotte for the new school year.
St. Michael School
The sound of “Happy first Day!” greeted parents and students alike as St. Michael School teachers and staff welcomed everyone back for the 2026-27 school year in Gastonia.
Charlotte Catholic High School
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. 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.
Across the diocese
