September 18, 2017

Pope Francis High School announces name change

REGIONAL
Staff report

(IObserve photo/courtesy of Pope Francis High School)

SPRINGFIELD – Educators at Pope Francis High School, a faith-based college preparatory school serving grades nine-12, have announced a name change for the school. When the doors to the new school open next year, Pope Francis High School will change its name to Pope Francis Preparatory School.

The creation of Pope Francis High School was announced in the spring of 2015 when Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski revealed that Cathedral High School and Holyoke Catholic High School would merge into a new school, named in honor of the current pope. While the official merger coincided with the 2016-2017 academic year, the two schools joined their athletic programs in 2015.

Construction of the 122,000-square-foot facility on Wendover Road in Springfield began September 2016 and is scheduled for completion next summer. The building will open to students in August 2018. 

“As we look into moving into the new facility, we realize our vision for the future of the school would be best represented under the banner of Pope Francis Preparatory School,” said Michele D’Amour, chairperson of the Pope Francis Board of Directors. “The mission of the school as a Christ-centered institution will remain the same. The name change better reflects the core of that mission to develop well-educated critical thinkers and faith-based leaders. The opening of a new facility provides the perfect opportunity to make that change.”

The school fulfills its mission by providing a rigorous academic course selection, including honors, advanced placement, and virtual high school classes; competitive athletics and diverse extracurricular activities, in conjunction with meaningful learning experiences and individual attention not often found in other schools.

“We have an opportunity to redefine Catholic education with this new, state-of-the-art facility,” said head of school Paul Harrington. “The creative use of space will offer students the ability to gather and share ideas. Our science wing, for example, will feature a makerspace to allow the students to build and create, and we’ll have an open learning common, which will foster collaboration.”

A press release issued by the school this morning states that “Moving forward, Pope Francis will continue to challenge the expectations of its alumni and supporters, current and prospective students and families, the community, and all who encounter its graduates as they move into the world fully prepared to further their educations or begin their futures.”

More about the future of Pope Francis High School can be found at popefrancishigh.org