The Northern Deanery Regional Catholic High School (NDRCHS) is pleased to announce that it received formal approval from the Archdiocese of Seattle to open the first Catholic high school in the Northern Deanery, which includes Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties.

“After prayerful consideration of your application, I gladly approve the opening of the Northern Deanery Regional Catholic High School in the fall of 2027, welcoming its first ninth-grade class for 2027-28 school year. This will be the first Catholic high school these four counties have known, and it is a joyful testament to the faith and generosity of the families and parishes who have made it possible,” wrote Archbishop Paul D. Etienne in his approval letter.

“This is a milestone that reflects the faithful work of the NDRCHS Steering Committee, and the Office for Catholic Schools looks forward to partnering with you in the months ahead as the school moves from vision to reality,” said Nicholas Ford, the archdiocese’s superintendent of Catholic Schools.

Since 2023, a group of approximately 50 community members and pastoral leaders – with key sponsorship from the Fulcrum Foundation and The Ferry Foundation – have diligently worked to establish a Catholic high school accessible to all families throughout the Northern Deanery. In that time, the group has:

  • Confirmed strong community interest through a comprehensive feasibility study
  • Developed a sustainable financial model
  • Designed a rigorous, mission-driven curriculum
  • Solidified a cornerstone investor
  • Raised more than $2 million in financial pledges from community members
  • Welcomed its first team member
  • Identified the school’s initial location
  • Received formal approval to begin school in fall 2027

The school will carry the name Northern Deanery Regional Catholic High School until a formal naming process is completed. Sacred Heart Parish Hall, located in the Fairhaven neighborhood in Bellingham, will serve as the school’s initial temporary location.

The mission of NDRCHS is to inspire learners to encounter Christ, critically engage important ideas and apply their gifts for the good of the world. The school’s vision is to create an archdiocesan Catholic high school that serves more than 200 students, prepares young people for all vocational and college pathways and reflects the rich diversity of the Catholic Church and the broader community.

With hearts full of gratitude, the school leaders are now turning their attention to the sacred work ahead: hiring dedicated staff, preparing the building and welcoming the first class of students in fall 2027.

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