HORRY COUNTY—It’s official! St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic High School is on track to open in 2016, which will make it the sixth high school in the Diocese of Charleston.
A fundraising campaign was approved by Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone and kicked off in the parishes in August. The goal is $3.5 million, with a challenge goal of $5 million that will provide more classrooms, said Matt Dwyer, director of stewardship and development.
So far, St. Michael, St. Andrew, Our Lady Star of the Sea and St. James parishes have all held fundraising events. Dwyer said they would like to include other parishes as well.
The proposed school will be built on 50 acres owned by the diocese in the Carolina Forest between Myrtle Beach and Conway. According to an artist’s rendering, initial plans include space for a chapel, administration, guidance, classrooms, labs, art, music, media and community rooms.
St. Elizabeth school will start with one ninth grade class and grow each year from there until all four grades are established. It will serve the parishes of St. Andrew in Myrtle Beach; Our Lady Star of the Sea in North Myrtle Beach; St. Michael in Garden City; St. James in Conway; St. Mary, Our Lady of Ransom and St. Cyprian in Georgetown; and Precious Blood of Christ on Pawleys Island.
Father Jim LeBlanc, pastor of St. Andrew, is president of the upcoming high school. Paul and Larry Flood, Danner Thompson and Bill Meany are campaign chairs.
A recent feasibility study showed strong support for the school and longtime proponents are excited to see it moving forward.