November 2019 | Fr. Moore, pastor of Assumption parish in Bellingham, sends a letter to Archbishop Etienne noting the community’s desire for a Catholic high school in the Northern Deanery. Planning was put on hold soon afterward due to the Covid pandemic.

Fall 2022 – Fr. Moore assumes the role as Dean of the Northern Deanery in September and meets with Nicholas Ford, the Superintendent of Catholic Schools, in October to reengage on the high school proposal. Monthly meetings with Advisory Council members also begin.

July 2023 | Fr. Moore requests permission from Archbishop Etienne to begin the process of establishing a Catholic high school in the Northern Deanery.

August 2023 | Official kickoff of parent-led Steering Committee, with guidance from Advisory Council Members.

August-November 2023 | Steering Committee and Advisory Council meet bi-weekly to determine the best process for researching viability of a Northern Deanery Catholic high school. The team also prepares initial objectives for questionnaire and survey.

December 2023-January 2024 | Office of Catholic Schools Superintendent Nicholas Ford presents the key characteristics of an Archdiocesan Catholic School to the Steering Committee. The committee also interviews three consulting organizations who could conduct the feasibility study.

February 2024 | Feasibility study sponsorship funding is obtained from the Northern Deanery Pastoral Council, Fulcrum Foundation and Ferry Foundation.

March 2024  | Meitler consulting group is hired to conduct the feasibility study and engagement begins. Meitler meets with local area focus groups in Anacortes (home school co-op), Skagit county (Immaculate Conception Regional School) and Whatcom county (Assumption Catholic School.)

March-April 2024 | Meitler prepares the feasibility survey and researches demographic data. Steering Committee launches WordPress site.

April 24, 2024 | Steering Committee site visits scheduled at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Vancouver, WA) and JPII (Lacey, WA) high schools.

April 26, 2024 | An online feasibility survey opens for the community to provide feedback about the proposed high school.

May 6, 2024 | Feasibility survey closed.

May 2024 | Meitler reports demographic findings to Steering Committee and Advisory Council; prepares feasibility study report.

June 2024 | Overall feasibility study conclusions shared with Northern Deanery Steering Committee, ND Advisory Council, Office of Catholic Schools, Fulcrum and Ferry Foundation. See the report here.

July 2024 | Update sent to the community about the feasibility study conclusions and next steps.

October 2024 | The Steering Committee announces that the project is proceeding to a Phase 2 financial feasibility study. Financial and Property subcommittees are formed.

November 2024, January 2025 | Father Moore presents a NDCHS project update to the Assumption Catholic School and Immaculate Conception Regional School communities. Watch his update presentation here.

March 2025 | Northern Deanery Pastors and the NSCHS Steering Committee reaches a consensus to use an Archdiocesian board model for school governance. Financial model and proposed operating budget completed.

April-June 2025 | Properties narrowed down to two (Sacred Heart-Bellingham and St Charles-Burlington) and research and planning continues. The Curriculum and Development committees form and begin planning. Jamie and Jeanne Twining step up as our first Cornerstone Investors in the school.

July 1 2025 | Dr. Andy Remien is appointed the Director of Implementation for the high school project. Recruitment for first Freshman class begins.

September 2025 | Sacred Heart Parish Hall, located in the Fairhaven area of South Bellingham, is chosen as the initial launch site for the school.

November 2025 | Tuition for the 2026/27 school year is set at $14,000.

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