Despite COVID-19, Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Austin Continue to Grow
Taylor, Texas, June 13, 2020 - St. Mary’s Catholic High School will open its doors to students in grades 9 and 10 this fall. The new high school will be an extension of St. Mary’s Catholic School and will follow the same mission of educating for wisdom and virtue, centered on Christ, in the Classical Catholic tradition.
Fr. Keith Koehl, pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Taylor, is excited for the addition of the new high school and is confident that this will benefit the community of Taylor, the surrounding areas and beyond. “We continue the educational mission of the Church through the addition of a high school. We build upon the vision which creates an environment for students to think critically and thus make a positive impact in society,” he said.
A unique characteristic of St. Mary’s Catholic High School is its affiliation with the international Chesterton Schools Network. Through this partnership, “St. Mary's students in Taylor will have access to one of the most cohesive, content-rich high school educations in the world. A broad exposure to many different disciplines helps students expand their interests and uncover hidden talents. Each year builds on the previous, so that by the end of senior year, our students will be articulate, clear-thinking, well-rounded, and, very importantly, joyful individuals of good character, ready to serve the Lord,” said school Principal Heidi Altman. In addition to the educational opportunities that students will enjoy at St. Mary’s, at the conclusion of their junior year, students will have the option to join other Chesterton Network institutions on a pilgrimage to Rome.
Currently, St. Mary’s Catholic School serves 195 students who come from 24 different zip codes. “Our families come from diverse communities that bring such richness and joy to our school, and our affordable model of classical education will provide a whole new dimension to the educational choices provided in our area,” said Altman.
A virtual information session is scheduled for Thursday, June 18th at 12 p.m. via St. Mary’s Catholic School’s Facebook (@SMCSTA). Prospective parents, and all who wish to learn more about this new endeavor is invited to join the livestream. For more information, visit https://www.stmarystaylor.org/
About Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Austin:
Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Austin form a unified school system made up of 20 Catholic Schools ranging from Pre-K to 12th grade that collectively educate over 5,000 students across Central Texas. Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Austin empower families to raise their children with Catholic Values. We provide transformative education through the integration of quality academics with the teaching of Catholic values. For more information, visit www.csdatx.org or “Like” us on Facebook