Loudoun County’s second Catholic school, Our Lady of Hope in Potomac Falls, will open its doors to new students, new teachers and new staff on Sept. 6. Father William P. Saunders, pastor, will celebrate Mass at 9 a.m. to welcome the students.

St. Theresa School in Ashburn, the first Catholic school in Loudoun County, opened its doors in 1994. It currently has an enrollment of 500 students.

One-hundred-thirty-five children in kindergarten through seventh grade will walk down the hallways of their new school and to their respective classrooms, each named after a saint. The newest completed church in the diocese is visible through the large windows on the front side of the school.

Each grade has one class of 20 to 25 students. The two-story school has a classroom for each grade and a computer science lab, art/music and extended day room, science lab and gymnasium. The school library overlooks the gymnasium, which will also serve as the lunchroom and auditorium. Every classroom is equipped with a sink, a television and two computers for student use.

The curriculum was designed by two parishioners who have master’s degrees in curriculum development. In addition to reading, writing, arithmetic and religion, beginning in the first grade, every student will study Latin.

"I couldn’t have done this without the help and assistance of all the people in the parish," Principal Joseph Orandello said about the opening of the school.

Parishioners formed an information technology committee to help choose computers for the school and install and network them. Individuals participated in a "buy a book" program to fund the library.

The school also will be used by the parish religious education program and the Knights of Columbus.

Orandello, a founding member of Our Lady of Hope Parish, has a master’s degree in education and taught at the elementary level in Catholic schools in Queens, N.Y., for six years before working for the government. Originally from Brooklyn, he and his family moved to Loudoun County 20 years ago.

He retired from the state department when the job for principal of Our Lady of Hope was advertised. With his background in management and education, his wife suggested he apply for the job.

Orandello, hired in February, said resumes for teaching positions had been sent to the parish long before he was hired. Many staff members are also parishioners.

"I’ve been blessed to have the faculty we have — with their experience, their education and their dedication," he said. "God has been so good to us for sending us all these people. I feel they are the best. They are specialists in their fields and every teacher is strongly rooted in their faith."

While it was not a requirement, every teacher and student at Our Lady of Hope is Catholic.

Orandello said that Father Saunders and Father Bryan Belli, parochial vicar, have both said that they will "have a strong presence in the school."

"In our world today, Catholic education is more vital than ever," said Father Saunders. "It provides unity between what is preached at Mass, what is lived at home and what they learn in school."