ROYERSFORD (September 10, 2010) -Pope John Paul II Catholic High School, the first new Archdiocesan high school to open in a decade, will welcome 900 students for the first time on September 10. The innovative facility is located on 78 acres at 181 Rittenhouse Road in Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County.

Beginning at 7:30 a.m., faculty, staff and student representatives will greet students with a "Welcome Home" message as students file in for the school day that begins at 8:05 a.m. Reverend Alan Okon, school president, will celebrate an Opening Mass at 9:00 a.m. during which the paschal candles from the former Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School and St. Pius X High School will come together to pay homage to the roots of Pope John Paul II High School and the unity of the two school communities. A student body pep rally will be held prior to the 2:53 p.m. dismissal.

The new high school, which spans 209,000 square feet, features 29 wireless classrooms. Each enrolled student will receive a netbook to use during the school year. The school also has five science laboratories, three computer laboratories and a large library/media resource center. Students will also have access to two dedicated distance-learning classrooms, and all classrooms feature LCD projectors with SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards and videoconferencing capabilities. Additionally, the school features two fine art studios, choral/band suites, 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, the school has six competition level sports fields, tennis courts and a running track with an all-weather surface.

One of the hallmarks of the school is a 72-seat chapel that contains furnishings from parishes around the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The wood for the altar is from the Cathedral Basilica SS Peter & Paul in Center City Philadelphia and the former Transfiguration of our Lord Parish in West Philadelphia. The stations of the cross are from St. John the Baptist of Coaldale, Pa. The stained-glass windows, from the former Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Southwest Philadelphia, were refurbished prior to installation in the chapel. The school will offer Mass every morning before classes begin, and confession will be offered weekly.

"The arrival of this day is a wonderful blessing," said Rev. Alan Okon, President, Pope John Paul II High School. "We began construction in 2008 awaiting this moment - and we cannot wait to witness our students in action, enjoying their new, magnificent school and receiving a superior and modern Catholic education."

Construction of Pope John Paul II began in August 2008. The school will house students from 38 parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and several more from the Dioceses of Allentown and Reading. More than half (52%) of incoming students live in the Norristown, Spring Ford and Perkiomen Valley school districts, and several students will attend from districts as far-reaching as Quakertown, Brandywine, Cheltenham, Daniel Boone and Philadelphia. Forty-four students enrolled at Pope John Paul II High School come from countries outside of the United States.

Additional information for Pope John Paul II High School is available online at www.PJPHS.org.

Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747