Welcome to the Website of John Paul II Catholic High School!
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "As those first responsible for the Education of their children, parents have the right to choose a school for them which corresponds to their own convictions. This right is fundamental. As far as possible, parents have the duty of choosing schools that will best help them in their task as Christian educators" (2229).
John Paul II Catholic High School was founded in the Fall of 2000 to assist parents with the Christian education of their children in accordance with the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. John Paul II Catholic High School is an independent Roman Catholic, Archdiocesan sanctioned, State accredited, four year college preparatory high school. The Seton Home Study School curriculum is currently used and it stresses academic excellence as well as Catholic moral principles that nurture body, mind, and spirit. The educational program combines the best of a Catholic home study curriculum with accredited courses in a traditional classroom setting.
John Paul II Catholic High School is not a home school. Students are taught by highly qualified teachers, both professionally and spiritually, and learn in a friendly and stimulating atmosphere. Each one of our students is a unique person of inestimable worth, created in the image and likeness of God. All of them are called to holiness. This high school program strives to prepare its students for a successful career in life, as well as, how to be a good citizen and an active Christian. John Paul II Catholic High School's mission is to help form students into scholars and saints; that is, to help them prepare for this life, but above all, for eternal life. Students are best prepared to live in this world by teaching them to be good citizens, by preparing them for their vocation, to think critically, write well, and how to study well. We want our students to be a positive Christian influence in society. To help them better prepare for eternal life, we teach them where to begin to find the answers to questions that give meaning and purpose to their lives and answers that give them reasons for hope.
Benefits of Attending John Paul II Catholic High School
The benefits for students attending John Paul II Catholic High School are many. Below are listed a few for you to consider:
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Teaches and reinforces Christian morality
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Nurtures prayer life and the call to holiness
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Teaches the Faith in accordance with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Magisterium
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Provides knowledge with which to defend the Faith
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Fosters an authentic Catholic culture or way of life
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Teaches responsibility, critical thinking, and learning skills
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Integrates religion into all curriculum
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Provides knowledge and skills that allow easy transition to college
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Fosters Christian vocations: clerical, religious, and lay; especially marriage and the family
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Strengthens family bonds
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Educates the whole person: body, mind, and soul
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Nurtures a culture of life
History of John Paul II Catholic High School
In about the year 1993, Cindy Martin and Pat Walker began an effort to start a Catholic high school in Terre Haute. They approached Father Larry Moran to ask his permission to begin this project and his permission was readily given. The first organizational meeting was held in St. Margaret Mary's family center attended by Sue Butwin of the Deanery Center and Ann Scheidler along with Cindy and Pat. Mark and Susan Fuson soon joined the effort. Several meetings were held with Dan Eisner from the Archdiocese and the group named itself the Blue Ribbon Task Force. Cindy, Pat, Mark and Susan approached Fr. Moran to request a feasibility study of the prospects of a Catholic high school. The archdiocese agreed to finance this study. By this time, several pastors of Deanery parishes became interested notably Fr. Steve Gianini and Fr. Joe Kern. Some interest was found among the people of Terre Haute but not enough to support a full high school. During this period, Msgr. Moran became an avid supporter of the high school project. The Task Force continued to hold meetings. In early June of 2000, Cindy Martin along with two public school incoming sophomores; Kris Kraut and Gretchen Oehler, approached the St. Patrick Board of Religious Education. Cel Lundstrom sat on that board as Director of Sunday Morning Religious Educ. Cel knew of a way to provide a small Catholic High School for the Terre Haute area. The BRE referred these three, Cindy, Kris and Gretchen, to the Parish Council and through their passionate pleas, the Council agreed to allow space for the project in the lower level of St. Patrick's rectory. Msgr. Moran enthusiastically approved of this agreement. In attendance at that meeting besides the Council members were: Cel Lundstrom, Sandy McBroom, Kris' mother and Dorothy and Mike O'Sullivan. All felt the agreement was nothing short of a miracle. Many more "miracles" would follow. Cel Lundstrom knew about the Seton Home Study Program which would allow the school's students to earn a diploma recognized by colleges and universities. Also, she agreed to be the Principal/Director of the project. With a $50,000 grant from Cindy Martin, Cel spent the next month and a half designing and overseeing the remodeling of the lower level of St. Patrick's Rectory. Sandy McBroom lent her expertise and designed the curriculum for the students. On August 22, 2000, John Paul II Catholic High,with the tacit approval of the Archdiocese, became a reality as an independent, Catholic, high school program with 8 students in attendance. Sandy McBroom and Cindy Martin were two of the original teachers in the program. Msgr. Moran named it "John Paul II Catholic High" and it existed in the lower level of the St. Patrick's Rectory for 7 years. During that time, its enrollment grew to 16 students. Throughout the eight year history of John Paul, Msgr. Moran has been guardian, Chaplain, chief recruiter and a fundraiser. Also, throughout its eight year history, Mark and Susan Fuson have provided leadership for the Board of Governors and have given the school constant attention and support. They have provided for the school both financially and with many hours of donated time. They, with Msgr. Moran, have been the mainstays of John Paul Catholic High. During the Summer of 2007, John Paul II Catholic High relocated to what was formerly the Sacred Heart School Building. The high school program opened at that new location on August 14th, 2007 with 23 students: 2 seniors, 6 juniors, 7 sophomores and 8 freshmen. During all those years, Dr. Jerry Wagner and Ron Eldred donated their time and teaching talent to JPII and Ron Eldred and his son, John, built our website and donated it as a beautiful gift to John Paul II where it helps to promote Catholic education on the high school level in the Terre Haute area. It is worthy of note, that God has provided for all the needs of JPII and given us just the right people to establish and maintain it. On June 4, 2008, John Paul II Catholic High School was granted full accreditation by the Indiana State Board of Education. Being fully accredited, the school can now grant its own diplomas and will continue to provide a curriculum in complete accord with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. On June 30, 2008, Cel Lundstrom resigned as Director of John Paul II Catholic High School. The Board of Governors, made up of: Chairperson, Susan Fuson and members: Msgr. Moran, Mark Fuson, Susan and Kevin Carr; hired Sandy McBroom to be the new Director beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year. Thanks be to God for His Divine assistance to us all.