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As this school year’s theme at Helias Catholic is “Renewal,” now is a fitting time to update you on a few topics of particular interest to our school community.
CATHOLIC IDENTITY: This is our top priority! In addition to continued emphasis on strengthening Helias Catholic’s relationship with our partner elementary schools, we are always looking for ways to grow and strengthen our students’ faith life. Our main purpose is to help students grow in their faith, in their love and understanding of God, alive and at work in their lives. We do this through the many classes, extra-curricular programs, service opportunities, retreats and school liturgies, prayer services and Reconciliation services offered at Helias Catholic. Zach Rockers, Helias Catholic’s new full-time director of campus ministry, has created an ambitious plan to strengthen our campus ministry program. And thanks to his appointment by Bishop McKnight, we are blessed to welcome Fr. Paul Clark as our chaplain.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: Last semester faculty and staff met with school administration to discuss the strategic priorities of aligning curriculum with Helias Catholic’s partner schools, embracing change and innovation in our school, and seeking ways to strengthen and identify each student’s unique gifts and talents. We have strengthened Helias Catholic’s Pope Saint John Paul II Student Success Center by hiring an academic coach and another full-time teacher. Professional development opportunities, curriculum review and conversations about best practices for high school educators are all part of our ongoing work in academics. Our goal remains the same: to help give our students the opportunity to grow in mind, body and soul so they are well prepared to go out into the world to bring the good news to all they encounter.
FACILITIES: Renovations to the school’s Crucifix Entrance and Rackers Fieldhouse are well underway. We anticipate the work to be done by late fall 2022. Conversation continues regarding remaining projects, such as a performing arts center and a baseball/softball complex.
Before closing I want to speak for a moment about our school’s financial situation. Seven years ago, Helias Catholic received a transformative gift allowing the school to freeze tuition at $3,000 per year. Students who are not active in a Catholic parish pay just under $5,000 per year. It is important to highlight that the cost of educating a student at Helias Catholic is $10,700 — that means families are receiving a tuition break of $7,700!
Bishop McKnight has asked all in the Diocese of Jefferson City to adopt a spirituality of stewardship. We are blessed with an array of gifts and talents in our community. Each Catholic parish with students at Helias Catholic contributes toward the cost of educating those students as long as the students' families are actively living the stewardship way of life. Our generous donors continue to help us keep a Helias Catholic education affordable and accessible to as many young people as possible. A spirituality of stewardship is a call for each one of us, not just for a select few. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of a financial gift, and thank you for the countless hours and talents so many of you share with our community.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts — forever!
John Knight
Helias Catholic High School President
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