Why is a new Catholic high school needed here?
There has been a long-standing desire for a Catholic high school that is accessible to families in this region, especially since there are already two thriving K-8 Catholic feeder schools. Over 340 families with school-aged children also expressed support for this new school in a 2024 community survey.
Where will the high school be located?
The high school will initially be located in South Bellingham, at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall. This campus provides the perfect environment to launch our vision while we work toward our long-term goal of a permanent, purpose-built facility that can serve the Northern Deanery for generations to come.
For more information about the location, please see this September 2025 blog post.
When will the school open?
Pending Archdiocese approval, the goal is to open for the 2026/27 school year with our first Freshman class. Interested families can submit the Contact Us form if they would like to get infomation about enrollment.
What is the governance structure of this school?
The school will use an Archdiocesan board model for governance. It will operate as a regional high school, working closely with the Seattle Archdiocese Office of Catholic Schools and following their policies.
Who will lead this high school?
Dr. Andy Remien has been appointed the Director of Implementation for the Northern Deanery Catholic High School, effective July 1, 2025. For more information and to read Dr. Remien’s bio, please see this blog post.
How much is tuition? Will there be assistance?
The initial tuition has been set at $14,000 per year. The school is also committed to affordability, accessibility and offering tuition assistance to families in need. Please contact us if you are interested in enrolling a student and would like to explore tuition assistance options.
How big will the school be?
We have 18 spots for the first Freshman class and have set growth projections for each subsequent year. Our goal is that the school will eventually serve more than 200 students.
What is the expected student to teacher ratio?
The projected student to teacher ratio is estimated to be 1:16 to start.
What will the curriculum include?
The high school will provide exemplary academics that prepare students for college and beyond. It will also follow all State, NSBECS (National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools) and Archdiocesan curriculum guidelines.
Will there be extracurricular activities?
School leadership is committed to offering a diverse range of extracurricular opportunities to support student growth beyond the classroom. In addition to traditional activities like debate, music, and sports, options being considered include clubs such as choir, robotics, and mock trial. Athletic offerings under discussion include cross country, track, basketball, and unique opportunities like sailing and skiing.
How will you ensure the school is financially sustainable?
We have developed a robust financial plan and are also raising $2M in start-up capital to build the school on a solid foundation. We encourage all community members to be part of this joint effort by submitting a financial pledge of any amount. If you feel called to contribute financially, please visit our Donate page for more details.
I have a question that isn’t covered. How can I find out more?
Please submit additional questions using the Contact Us form. Thank you!
Northern Deanery High School 