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Welcome |
Welcome to John Paul II! This is an exciting time for our school as we begin the process of welcoming our second class of students, the Class of 2014 -- our NEXT pioneers! There is much to be excited about: the Class of 2013 and our ten great teachers and staff; the purchase of land and a school building; development of our master plan for our 53-acre site and building renovation; a very successful Founders' Day with Archbishop Gomez, Bishop Cantú, and six area pastors; and a clear goal met -- an open school in August 2009. In the words of Christ and John Paul II, Duc in altum! Though there is much to say about our school and our mission and vision, we start by saying that this has always been about the future of our young people, providing the very best in Catholic education and formation. We will give them the very best in all things. Further, our community is embracing the formation of a school around our four core virtues: humility, faith, courage, and love.
We hope, too, that as you explore what John Paul has to offer, that our mission and plans will speak to you. Perhaps it will call you to join us, to make your mark in the community -- FOUNDING a school. The possibilities are truly awe-inspiring. Our web site will have much information to share with parents, students, and teachers, but certainly we hope to share more with you. We invite you to attend one of our open house sessions in October 2009, send an e-mail, or even better stop by for a visit. Nolite Timere,
Our Mission Vision Statement Our school will be dedicated
to the development of our students spiritually, morally,
intellectually, and physically in an environment of love, courage
and service that will enable them to fulfill their Baptismal Call to
witness Jesus Christ in the modern world.
Brief History In 2005, an official planning committee was formed with representatives from four feeder schools, and began real planning with timelines, research, and outreach. An in-pew survey at area parishes confirmed a widespread interest and support for a Catholic high school. Early in 2007, the group met with Archbishop Gomez to get his blessing to open as a Catholic school. The Archbishop went one step further than that: he requested that the school open as an Archdiocesan high school. With this support from our Archbishop, the committee became school council and set to its first tasks: hiring a principal, finding land, choosing an architect, and raising the necessary funds to open. In October 2007, a formal kick-off announced the school to a broader group and set an important date for families and students: John Paul II will open in August 2009. The school council met a number of these goals in 2008. In May, Andrew Iliff was hired as the founding principal. In August, the Archdiocese purchased On 17 August 2009, with 34 freshmen and 10 staff members, John Paul II opened its first day of official classes.
President --
Craig Zgabay
1. The
regional high school will be thoroughly Catholic in every aspect of
its mission, dedicated to the education of the whole person and
recognizing the central role of spiritual development. Thus a
"Catholic-across-the curriculum" approach would be taken. History,
philosophy, ethics, literature, science, and government courses
would highlight contributions of the Catholic Church to the advance
of civilization. Religion or theology courses would be required each
year (The Didache Series being one attractive model). A thorough
understanding of Catholic doctrine, moral teachings, sacramental
theology and prayer would be attained through study of the
Catechism, writings of saints and doctors of the Church, and major
church documents and teachings in union with the magisterium of the
Church. The Catholic nature of the education would be emphasized
with weekly Mass and daily recitation of the Morning Office. We hope
to have priests, religious and/or deacons on staff, with one serving
as a chaplain, to lead liturgies and to be available for spiritual
direction and formation. The latter would include frequent
opportunities for sacramental confession, the development of a
retreat program, and encouragement of good spiritual reading.
Students would be required to undertake service activities within
their own parishes, to emphasize the Church’s teaching on the
importance of living out the faith through the regular practice of
the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Our goal is to ensure
that students who leave for college or who directly enter the work
force will have a solid foundation in the Catholic faith and the
spiritual armor to encounter a culture with values that are often
hostile to the Christian spirit. 4. Size of the school will depend on actual demand. But the thinking would be that it could start with a freshman class, or possibly a freshman and sophomore class of 30-50 boys and 30-50 girls, adding classes in each of the successive years until there is a full complement of freshmen through seniors, at a total enrollment of 300-400 students. This approach would permit the school to get started even in temporary facilities, before acquisition of land and building of facilities is complete, commensurate with fund-raising. 5. A capital campaign would be needed, and an appropriate governance board established to conduct a search for a principal and to establish policies consistent with those of the Archdiocese, while fostering the development and oversight of the school’s mission. 6. Location of the school will be along the IH-35 corridor to ensure maximum accessibility to the prospective market, ideally in close proximity to the freeway, and centrally enough located to take advantage of the large populations between Selma and San Marcos (north to south) and Seguin and Canyon Lake/Highway 46 (east to west). New Braunfels sits in the middle of this hub, which is one reason why we looked at properties in this area, including the old St. Joseph&rsquorsquo;s Church property between New Braunfels and Selma. Obviously land availability, suitability, and price will ultimately determine location.
Guiding Principles
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John Paul II Catholic High
School 6720 FM 482 • New Braunfels, Texas • 78132 © Archdiocese of San Antonio. |
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 We
are an Archdiocesanhigh school. Click on the Department of Catholic School's logo to learn more about how Catholic schools in our Archdiocese form hearts, build minds, and change lives. |
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land for the establishment of the high school: 53 acres on the corner of Friesenhahn Road and FM 482, just one-half mile west of IH-35 in northwestern reaches of Schertz. In December, JPIICHS and Comal ISD negotiated the sale of the Comal Elementary buildings and the 16 acre campus just across FM 482. JPII's bid was accepted through a public bidding process. In 2009, the school registered students and hired teachers, eventually bringing on a staff of ten part-time teachers and staff, along with four coaches.
