The Northern Deanery High School Steering Committee took a much-needed summer break and has started to regroup ahead of the next planning phase.
Before the break, the consulting firm Meitler completed and presented a demographic feasibility study to both the committee and our partners at the Fulcrum and Ferry Foundations. The study contained a lot of nuanced data, but the key findings were: (1) we can likely recruit about 20-30 students for our first class, (2) tuition per student will likely be 10–15% of median family income, and (3) the Bellingham and Burlington locations are equally matched in terms of interest and available resources. These results indicate that a sustainable, long-term high school is feasible, but it will require effort.
Following these results, the committee voted to proceed with Meitler’s Phase 2 project, which will provide a suggested 5-year budget for the proposed school. The Steering Committee also voted to create a property sub-committee tasked with investigating possible short- and long-term options for location.
We will continue to share more details as they unfold. Thank you for your prayerful support of the project.
Northern Deanery High School 