This summer, St. Paul VI Catholic High School moved into its new campus on 68 acres in the Chantilly/South Riding area of Loudoun County. The academic area includes more than 60 classrooms and eight labs. Classrooms were designed to feature ample natural light and flexibility to adjust to various teaching and learning styles. This year, flexibility will certainly be the name of the game. 

Paul VI opened for the 2020-21 school year five days a week, utilizing a combination of in-person and virtual learning, with 50 percent of the students in the building and 50 percent livestreaming from home on an alternating block schedule. Parents also have the option to elect full-time virtual attendance for their students.

“Our administration has been working all summer to adjust (and readjust) our plans to bring students safely back to campus,” said Head of School Ginny Colwell. “Our enhanced cleaning protocols, along with everyone wearing masks, washing hands, using hand sanitizer, practicing social distancing and avoiding coming to the building if sick, will help to provide a healthy environment for students, staff, faculty and visitors.”

“The 2020-21 year will be Paul VI’s 38th school year and our first year at our new campus,” said Principal Tom Opfer. “There is so much going on around us with COVID-19 and so many unknowns, and yet our patron St. Francis de Sales’ teaching is timely for today: ‘Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you today and every day.’ 

“We are very excited to have a number of new and impressive faculty members joining us this year,” said Opfer. “Each brings a unique perspective to the classroom and will be a great addition to our caring and dedicated faculty.” 

“We look forward to an exciting year as we continue to grow in grace and wisdom in our new home,” said Colwell. “This school year will be different, but we are in this together and I know our faculty, staff and students will rise to the occasion.”

Paul VI is excited to welcome the following new faculty members: Hanna Ashby (Options), Darien Ashley (Social Studies), Alaina Barker (Science), Raymond Cassidy (Math), David Ellis (Theology), Whitney Eubank (Science), Linda Gott (Theology), Cindi Harkes (DeSales Learning Center), Colleen Marshall (Science), Teresa Neves (Science), Sami Sloboda (English), Chris Summers (Social Studies), Kathryn Virusky (DeSales Learning Center) and David Williamson (Math).