MADISON COUNTY - A new Catholic high school is feasible for the Metro East St. Louis area, according to results of an independent study commissioned by a group of parents in southern Madison County. Catholic Schools For Me (CS4Me) hired the St. Lucie, Fla.-based Partners in Stewardship for Life firm to conduct a study to determine the interest, need and feasibility of building and maintaining a Catholic high school in the southern half of Madison County.

In the study, conducted last summer and fall, over 80 community leaders, clergy, educators, elected officials, potential donors, parishioners and parents were interviewed, plus over 1,000 families were surveyed.

The study suggests a centrally located high school near Maryville would cost between $12 and $15 million to build, and could have 400 to 600 students primarily from the communities of Bethalto, Edwardsville, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, Granite City, Highland, Maryville, and Troy. The study suggests a $6,000 per year tuition, which is comparable to that of other schools in the area.   

Academics, location and strong Catholic identity are the three features of primary interest among surveyed parents. Based on local economic demographics, and Sunday collections, the study finds the money to build the school could be attained through donations, with a potential first enrollment as early as 2011 or 2012.

"Our board has been at this tirelessly for a couple years now," Doug Villhard, CS4Me president said. "This independent study confirms that the growth in our area can support a new high school and our desire to provide both excellent and affordable Catholic education from pre-K through high school is fast becoming a reality of our region."

Bishop George Lucas and area priests were presented the study results at a meeting at the SIUE Religious Center in early January.

"I'm encouraged," said Bishop Lucas. "It's inspiring to see a group of Catholic parents working so diligently to expand the availability of Catholic education for their children. The study has answered my most pressing questions, and I'm looking forward to a formal proposal from the group regarding the next steps."

Father Tom Meyer, pastor at St. Mary Parish in Edwardsville, is an advisor to the CS4Me board.

"I look forward to seeing if Catholic families in southern Madison County can be offered the opportunity for a K-12 Catholic education here in our area," said Father Meyer.

Mary Beth Wilson, a CS4Me board member, said the plan now is to get word out about the study, increase membership on CS4Me committees, and develop a final proposal for the location and makeup of the school.

The group plans to hold town hall meetings in March in Edwardsville, Collinsville, Granite City and Highland to discuss the results of the study in more detail and recruit volunteers.

"We're ready for more volunteers," Wilson said. "Here's a chance to join one of our committees and be part of building a real legacy for our children and our community."

Committees forming include: faith formation, site location, fund-raising, communications and school name determination.

Villhard said he expects the organization process to be completed by late spring, after which the group will seek to formally win the support of the diocese and potential donors.

"We have a real opportunity to start from scratch and form a school rich in Catholic identity, conveniently located, and with top-notch academics and extra curricular activities," Villhard said. "This is going to be a school that Catholics in this region can be passionately proud to call their own."

For more information about the project, to make a donation, join a committee, or download a summary of the feasibility study, go to www.CatholicSchoolForMe.com .