The Valley Catholic
in the diocese
December 10, 2013
3
South County Catholic High School to be launched in Diocese of San Jose
By Roberta Ward
San Jose Auxiliary Bishop Thomas
A. Daly is spearheading an effort to create a new diocesan high school in south
Santa Clara County. He is working with
a committee of the Diocese of San Jose
which is planning fundraising, building and governance of the high school
aimed at opening in 2017.
Bishop Daly said, “We plan to
build a 21st Century Catholic college
prep designed for innovative leaders
of tomorrow. Our goal is to develop
well-rounded students who are educated in the rich tradition of Catholic
educational excellence.
“The learning environment of this
new school will strengthen and further
spiritual, intellectual and social development of our young people. Widespread benefits from this endeavor will
be felt for generations,” he said.
Bishop Daly has a background
in Catholic education having been a
former teacher and past President of
Marin Catholic High School in Kentfield, Marin County.
Bishop Patrick J. McGrath commented, “Making Catholic education more
available to families in this diocese is
not optional, but necessary. The fact
that it has been nearly 50 years since a
new Catholic high school has been built
in Santa Clara County belies decades of
massive population growth. With God’s
help and the support of many, we will
see the fruition of efforts to build our
South County Catholic High School.”
According to Susan Krajewski,
Campaign Coordinator, “Plans for
18 months, she said.
Krajewski said, “The campaign has
been driven by volunteers. George
Chiala, a local businessman, has been
spearheading the effort along with a
tireless group of people.”
“There are over 400 high school
students leaving the south county
region to attend non–public high
schools,” Chiala said. “There are also
many families in the south county area
that would like a Catholic high school
education for their family but decide
against it because of demands of the
commute.”
Krajewski said, “Through rigorous
academics, utilizing blended learning
models and community mentoring, as
well as technological advancements in
Silicon Valley, the new school aims to
educate young men and women of all
Artist’s drawings of anticipated new Catholic
high school campus.
a coeducational, college preparatory
school have been discussed for the past
ten years.”
The Diocese of San Jose has purchased a 40-acre site located at Tennant
Ave. and Murphy Ave. in Morgan Hill,
near Hwy 101. The first phase of the
school will accommodate 600 students
and is estimated to cost $30 million,
Krajewski said, adding that some $5
million had been pledged.
Some of the initial funding is providing an Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) which is currently being
undertaken by the City of Morgan Hill,
the results of which take approximately
socio-economic backgrounds.”
Instruction will integrate the Catholic tradition of educating young people
to grow in faith and reason, Bishop
Daly added. “Many families are challenged when it comes to providing a
Catholic education for their children at
the high school level. There is truly a
need and this is a unique opportunity
to build a project that furthers opportunities for Catholic education. We ask
for the prayers, support and generosity
of the entire Valley.”
Bishop Daly said the new school will
serve people of diverse financial backgrounds, giving the opportunity for
Catholic college prep to many students.
Krajewski said that the project is
building in a $1 million endowment
for tuition assistance through its operations funds.
SCU students in
Ghana last year.
SCU students devote time for community service
A select group of Santa Clara University students have devoted time and
effort to the service of humanity.
They spend time during Spring
break administering medical aid to the
poor in foreign countries. In preparation, the Bronco students work at least
two jobs during the school year to pay
for their own transportation and living expenses for their chosen foreign
assignment.
Their upcoming Spring break will be
spent in Ghana. For a description of a
past assignment in East Panama, access:
www.scu.edu/fyi/blog.cfm?C=12638
There is a current need for donations
of funds and medical supplies (excluding medications), which they must bring
with them to Ghana. To donate, contact
Mike Wallace at SCU, mjwallace@scu,
(650-799-8436). For questions, contact
Mel Russi at [email protected]
www.dsj.org