A new co-ed Catholic high school, one built from the ground up, is a step closer to serving students in southwestern Cook County.

Archdiocesan officials have announced the launch of a capital campaign feasibility study to determine the potential to raise funds for a the school, proposed for the Orland Park area. Construction and related costs are estimated to be as much as $35 million. It would be funded by contributions from individuals, the local business community and others.

The study, which will be conducted with the help of a professional development consulting firm, is the next step in a planning process to serve the growing needs of Catholic families in southwest Cook County. It will determine whether plans for the school move forward. If successful, opening would be four to six years away.

“I support the mission of the committee and its recommendation to proceed with a feasibility study. It is a logical and appropriate next step toward meeting the increasing demand for Catholic education ... in southwest Cook County,” said Cardinal George.

Planning began in 1997 with a committee led by Bishop John R. Gorman which included laity and area pastors. The current executive committee, chaired by Father William O’Mara, pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton parish in Orland Hills, has worked with professional research consultants to outline the need for the new school.

The work of the committee is an outgrowth of “DECISIONS for the Future of Our Church,” a strategic planning process initiated by Cardinal Bernardin to examine long-range archdiocesan needs.

“Our research has confirmed that there is a high demand for a coeducational Catholic high school in the southwest area of the Chicago metropolitan area,” said Dominican Sister Kathleen Tait, committee member and assistant superintendent for Archdiocese of Chicago high schools.

The results of the research study, presented to the cardinal by the committee earlier this fall, included data and direction on potential enrollment, type and size of facilities needed, and financial projections for construction, start-up and initial operating expenses.

“This proposed new high school would be established with a strong Catholic identity and would be aligned with the essential mission of all our archdiocesan schools—Catholic, excellent and vital,” said Cardinal George.

Advancement Partners, Inc., a Dublin, Ohio-based professional capital campaign management and development consulting firm retained by the archdiocese, will conduct the feasibility study.

If the capital campaign feasibility study is successful, the next steps will be to determine how best to fund the new school, develop a governance structure and execute a capital campaign. Based on the success of the campaign, final decisions would then be made on financing, organizing the school’s academic programs, designing the facility and construction, said Tait.

There are currently 290 Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the archdiocese, served by more than 6,000 teachers and educating more than 117,000 students.