The Arlington Diocese announced Dec. 19 its decision to
pursue a possible relocation for Paul VI Catholic High
School, which currently is located in Fairfax City. The
diocese is determining the feasibility of a new facility at
South Riding in eastern Loudoun County, but it first must
assess the logistical, legal and financial challenges of the
proposed relocation that would not be expected until
2020.
According to a statement from the diocesan Office of
Communications, the new campus would be built on property
owned by the diocese and would include space for academic and
faith enrichment programs, learning centers, extracurricular
activities and athletics. The campus would replace Paul VI’s
current location on Fairfax Boulevard, where the school was
first established in 1983 under Bishop Thomas J. Welsh.
The current school building dates back to 1935, when it was
Fairfax High School. Later, the building was used for 10
years by George Mason University for its college of
professional studies, college of general studies and
education department.
The original principal of Paul VI was Oblate of St. Francis
de Sales Father Donald J. Heet and enrollment was 350
students. The Oblates ended their 17-year administration of
the school in 2000. Three years later, the school opened a
two-floor, $6.5 million student activity center.
The diocesan decision to pursue relocation resulted from an
assessment of the long-term needs of the school, which was
aimed at strengthening Catholic education both for Paul VI
students and at all diocesan high schools.
Currently, school enrollment is near capacity at 1,000
students. According to the diocesan statement, campus
facilities are utilized fully and site expansion is not
feasible at the current location. A new campus would be
better equipped to accommodate future educational programs.
In the event of a possible move, the incoming 2014-15
freshman class would be guaranteed four years of
matriculation at the existing Fairfax facility.
“Paul VI High School is an outstanding Catholic high school
with a national reputation for academics,” said Sister
Bernadette McManigal, diocesan superintendent of schools.
“The school is attracting more students, and PVI’s academic
programs are expanding. After looking at all the options
available for Paul VI Catholic High School, we have decided
to pursue relocating to Loudoun County. A new PVI campus
would be a larger, state-of-the-art school facility that
would further strengthen its heritage as a leading Catholic
high school.”
“The Diocese of Arlington is committed to Catholic education,
and I am proud of the record of achievement of PVI and all
our schools and students,” said Arlington Bishop Paul S.
Loverde. “We are working to best ensure the continued
excellence and success of Paul VI High School in a facility
that is requisite to its needs and growth. The pursuit of a
new campus for PVI in Loudoun County will serve to propel its
tradition of delivering Catholic education at the highest
level of excellence for generations to come.”
School principal Virginia Colwell said the diocesan decision
to pursue relocation was “thrilling news for PVI.”
“I am grateful to the diocese for all it does to ensure the
future of our students,” she said. “This process will entail
long-range planning from many constituents to provide a
facility where PVI can continue with its motto to grow in
grace and wisdom. I look forward to working with the diocese
during this exciting time.”
Reaction from the local community varied, with Fairfax Mayor
R. Scott Silverthorne expressing his disappointment to The
Washington Post.
“As mayor, I’m clearly disappointed in the decision,” he
said. “We worked hard to convince them to stay.”
Meanwhile, Loudoun County Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau
praised the news in a Dec. 19 statement.
“As a product of a Catholic high school myself, I am a strong
believer in Catholic education,” he said. “Paul VI would
provide Loudoun residents with a high-quality educational
opportunity and would be a valuable addition to our
community. The construction of Paul VI could also bring some
relief to Loudoun’s high schools, which face continued
strains due to a growing student population.”
Members of the school community, including alumni, parents
and former faculty members, had mixed feelings about the
decision.
Margie Carson, the mother of two Paul VI graduates, taught
journalism at the school for nine years and served as
director of communications for six years.
“I clearly love the school and have been so thrilled to see
it grow and change from a building that was practically
falling down to a beautiful facility with a gymnasium we
never dreamt to see,” she said. “I think the school has built
a base of support of people like me who have worked hard to
make it what it is. To think of leaving that is devastating.
It will never feel like Paul VI if it’s moved out to Loudoun
County.”
Kari Mitchum, a member of the class of 1992 and mother of
two, said she is “not too keen on the move.”
“I understand the need for a Catholic high school in Loudoun
County, but I don’t think that means moving PVI,” she
said.
Though the new location would allow for a more updated school
building, Mitchum believes the school will lack the history
and personality of its current location.
“My (child who would graduate in 2024) has gone with me to
the PVI homecoming game the last two years and has asked if
he could go there, looking at the building with its
impressive brick and very high school (-like) exterior,” she
said. “I’m sad to say that now I’ll answer, ‘Nope, you won’t
be going to PVI’ and we should most likely start going to the
West Springfield homecoming to visit with neighbors instead
of Mommy’s old friends and teachers.”
Arif Fazel, a member of the class of 2003, agreed that it
would be a shame to see the old school building go, but said
he could understand the rationale behind the decision.
“If it meant something bigger and better for future students
then it makes sense to relocate,” he said. “It is in a tight
area where further expansion seems limited.”
Bahr can be reached on Twitter @KBahrACH.
