Cardinal Justin Rigali announced today that the new Archdiocesan high school planned for Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County, will be named Pope John Paul II High School. The announcement was made at a Ground Blessing Ceremony on the new school site witnessed by 275 ninth graders who will be part of the first graduating class and over 300 sixth grade students from 11 nearby parishes who will be part of the first freshman class.

The spacious 1,200 student school will be located on a 92-acre property at the intersection of Rittenhouse and Township Line Roads. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2008 as soon as final government approvals are received, with an opening date of September 2010.

"This is a joyous day for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia," said Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia. "May the Heavenly Father guide those who pass through this school's halls just as He watched over John Paul, inspiring this young man from Poland to live a life of extraordinary grace, gratitude, truth and compassion."

The new high school features more than 30 state of the art classrooms; five science laboratories; three computer laboratories and a library/media resource center. Additionally, each school will have a television studio; a large fine arts center featuring two art studios and choral/band rooms; a large chapel, a 432-seat cafeteria; a 1200-seat auditorium; a 1000-seat main gymnasium, an auxiliary gymnasium and a fitness center. In support of athletic programs, plans also exist for six competition level sports fields, a running track with an all-weather surface and six competition level tennis courts. Pope John Paul II High School has a projected capacity of 1,200 students, will be fully air-conditioned and feature modern security access and surveillance systems.

Additional information for Pope John Paul II High School is available online at www.PJPHS.org. The school's website will be updated as construction progresses. For information on all of the schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, visit www.KeepingFaithinMind.org.

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Donna Farrell
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