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The following document was prepared by the diocesan
Office of Communications.
Q: Why relocate Paul VI Catholic High School to
Loudoun County?
A: Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and diocesan officials,
in consultation with pastors, parishioners, school focus
groups and national consultants, have been studying various
aspects of the state of Catholic education in the diocese and
considering how best to ensure its future. Major
considerations have included demographic patterns and
projections; elementary and secondary school enrollment
trends; best instructional practices; and the cost of
maintenance, repair and renovation of existing
facilities.
The diocese determined that the facilities at the current
Paul VI Catholic High School campus in Fairfax are being used
to their maximum potential and will be unable to meet the
long-term educational needs of students. The 80-year-old
facility, previously occupied by Fairfax High School and
George Mason University, has required substantial repair
since its acquisition by the diocese in 1983. Over the past
32 years, the diocese has invested $15 million in the Fairfax
campus, with the cost of maintenance and repairs rising.
Retrofitting the building is cost-prohibitive and site
expansion is not possible.
Q. The diocese announced its intention to pursue Paul
VI’s relocation in 2013. Why did it wait to make the official
announcement?
A. As a result of the findings from the assessment referenced
above, the diocese announced in 2013 its intention to pursue
the relocation of Paul VI to Loudoun County, noting that a
move was contingent upon the resolution of logistical, legal
and financial factors, with the hope that an announcement
could be made in 2015 following its due diligence.
During the process, Sister Bernadette McManigal,
superintendent of schools, communicated with the Paul VI
Board of Governors and administration to keep them apprised
of the progress.
At this point, the diocese has determined that the legal,
logistical and financial challenges are able to be resolved
and is therefore able to move forward on the relocation.
Q: Will students who live in Fairfax County have
access to Catholic secondary education?
A: Residents of Fairfax County will continue to have ample
access to Catholic secondary education. Students can continue
to choose to attend any of the four diocesan schools that
best meets their needs. In the 2014-15 academic year,
students from Fairfax County made up 68 percent of the
student body of Bishop Ireton (Alexandria); 62 percent of
Bishop O’Connell (Arlington); and more than 20 percent of
Saint John Paul the Great Catholic (Dumfries). Because almost
half of the Paul VI student body traveled to the current Paul
VI campus from points west of Fairfax City this past year,
the South Riding campus will be a viable choice for many in
the western region of the county.
Q: Why South Riding?
A: Since Paul VI was established in 1983, the population of
the diocese has grown dramatically in the region west of the
campus: currently, 92,000 Catholics live in western Fairfax
County and Loudoun County, the fastest-growing county in
Virginia. Demographic projections signaled continued
population growth, so the diocese acquired several properties
in anticipation of serving its members well into the future.
This included a 68-acre parcel of land in South Riding, just
over the border of Fairfax County. Because the site is
accessible to students in two of the most populous regions in
the diocese, the diocese determined that it would best be
used as a high school that could serve as many students as
possible.
Q: Who will develop the site in Fairfax
City?
A: The diocese is in the final stages of negotiations with a
developer who will formulate plans for the property in
cooperation with Fairfax City planning officials.
Q: What is the expected timeline for the construction
and opening of Paul VI’s new campus in South
Riding?
A: The projected opening is fall 2020. A four-year timeline
has been allocated for the process, including the selection
of the architectural and engineering firm by a diocesan
building committee and consultation with members of the Paul
VI faculty, staff, student body, administration and the Board
of Governors.
Q. How will the Paul VI community be involved in the
transition to a new location?
A. A number of groups – including the Board of Governors and
committees with members of the administration, faculty,
staff, students and alumni – will be essential in ensuring a
smooth and successful transition to the school’s new campus.
The diocese will engage a variety of groups to help guide the
architectural plan of the new site so that it best serves the
unique needs of the Paul VI school community.
During the 2014-15 school year, Sister Bernadette McManigal
initiated a conversation with the administration and faculty
department chairs to elicit ideas and recommendations on how
a new campus might facilitate more optimal instruction and
learning. This consultation included several recent visits to
three state-of-the-art high school campuses to better
envision opportunities for Paul VI to expand its current
program of studies.
Q: What kind of assistance will be available for
those who are affected by a move from Fairfax City to Loudoun
County?
A: The diocese is committed to providing bus transportation
for students traveling to and from the new site. Proposed
pick-up and drop-off locations include stops within the City
of Fairfax. In addition to providing transportation, the
diocese will continue its tradition of offering financial
assistance to families in need. Bishop Loverde remains
committed to providing affordable and accessible Catholic
education to the highest number of students as possible in
the diocese.
