MARYVILLE — Father McGivney Catholic High School (FMCHS), a new Catholic high school in the Springfield diocese, opened Aug. 16, at 143 Wilma Dr. in Maryville. Initially housed in a renovated wing of St. John Neumann School, the school opened with 19 freshmen students.
The evening before, on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, over 550 people attended an inaugural Mass for the school, celebrated by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki in the St. John Neumann School gymnasium.
Earlier that afternoon, faculty, staff, students and their parents, and members of the Faith Formation Committee joined Bishop Paprocki as he blessed the new school's front entrance and exterior, then went indoors to bless classrooms, hallways, offices, and other facilities.
Joining the bishop were Msgr. Carl Kemme, vicar general; Alton deanery pastors: Father Jeff Goeckner, dean, and Fathers John Beveridge, Daniel Bergbower and Pat Jakel; and Father Daren Zehnle, master of ceremonies. Father Tom Meyer, a former Alton deanery pastor, joined them to concelebrate Mass with the bishop.
"It is a joy for me to be here with you this evening to open Father McGivney Catholic High School," Bishop Paprocki said in his homily. "The fruits of these past few years of research and planning, selecting and structuring curricula, searching and hiring, are now finally seen. For all of your dedicated work to make this day possible, I offer my humble gratitude.
"It is my pleasure to congratulate all who have given generously of their time, talents and treasure to bring this sacred project to fruition," Bishop Paprocki said.
"Father McGivney Catholic High School has the full support and blessing of our diocese and we look forward to sharing this holy undertaking with all of our brethren," the bishop said.
Doug Villhard, president of the FMCHS board, has a daughter in the freshman class. "There's a lot of 14-year-olds that are probably not very excited about going back to school right now, but these kids are elated to be part of this — to be pioneers — to really set the traditions of this school," Villhard said. "We're very proud of them and very thankful for them. Someone had to get this started. These kids and their parents answered the call."
The freshman curriculum includes theology, biology, honors biology, English, honors English, algebra, geometry, honors algebra and physical education.
Principal Mike Scholz said students will utilize the St. John Neumann gymnasium, but the high school also has a partnership with the nearby Collinsville/Maryville/Troy YMCA for other physical activities like swimming.
"Our students will not have any textbooks. All our books are e-books. Each student will have a laptop and an iPad. Assignments, tests and quizzes will all be done with their laptops."
A former principal of St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Champaign, and of Mascoutah High School, Scholz is a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. "I keep my ties with school administrators. I feel very blessed to have this opportunity."