FAQ

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 in Immaculate Conception Regional Catholic School and Assumption Catholic School. Over 340 families with school-aged children expressed support for this new school in a 2024 community survey.

Where will the high school be located?
NDRCHS 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?
After Archdiocese of Seattle approval in August, NDRCHS will open for the 2027-2028 school year. Interested families can submit the Contact Us form if they would like to get information about enrollment.

What is the governance structure of this school?
NDRCHS 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 its policies.

Who will lead this high school? 
Dr. Andy Remien has been appointed the Director of Implementation for the NDRCHS, 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. NDRCHS is committed to affordability, accessibility, and offering tuition assistance to families in need. It also recognizes that different families may need different levels of financial support. 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?
NDRCHS will begin with 9th-grade students and if interest is expressed, 10th-grade students as well. A new 9th-grade class will be added over the next years until the school has students in 9th through 12th grade. The goal is that the school will eventually serve more than 200 students.

What will the curriculum include? 
NDRCHS 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? 
NDRCHS 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?
NDRCHS developed a robust financial plan and raised $2M in start-up capital to build the school on a solid foundation. It encourages 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!