September 4, 2009
John Paul the Great in Jasper
9 students fill freshman, sophomore classes at new high school
Jay Hamlin teaches history to Dillon Ameling and Joe Munning who are sophomores at the newly-opened John Paul the Great High School in Jasper. (Message photo by Mary Ann Hughes) Click for a larger version.
By MARY ANN HUGHES (Message staff writer)
Last year when Kyle Freyberger was an eighth grader at Holy Family School in Jasper, he heard there was going to be a new Catholic high school in town, but in his words, “I could have cared less.”
His mother suggested that he consider attending the school, and his dad suggested that he register at Jasper High School.
“I went to a couple of retreats,” he said, “like Source and Summit in Evansville, and I was praying really hard about it.” After attending an Ignite youth conference in Louisville, he came home and told his mom, “I’m going to the new high school!”
He’s a few weeks into his freshman year at the newly opened private Catholic high school, John Paul the Great, and so far he has no regrets about his decision. “We have small classes and individual attention from the teachers.”
Elizabeth Flatt is the principal at the new school. She spent all of last year getting things ready. She says sometimes she felt like she was on an island. “It was a challenging year. I love being with kids, and I really missed that. It’s a completely different skill set to start a school.” There were numerous details — too many to count — and also the pressure to keep focused on the big picture. “It was a neat challenge,” she said, adding that the first day of school was also “neat” as she welcomed the nine students who were “eager to be a part of this.”
She was heartened that morning as she walked through the school and she heard the students praying before each class. “At lunch, the kids all wanted to sit together so they pushed all the tables together so no one was left out.”
That bonding has continued among the student body. Last week a student had surgery, and “that evening the kids were at the hospital. The kids are genuinely concerned about each other.”
There are lots of challenges during the first year of a school, and one of the biggest ones is educating the community “about what we are doing here at John Paul the Great,” she said.
Right now the school is housed on the third floor of St. Joseph’s parish center. The students have access to the chapel in the building and also to the gym.
So far, the response from the area has been great, the principal said. “They are excited, and feel this has been a long time coming, with Dubois County being so Catholic. They are excited that people can have the opportunity.”
Donors are bringing lunch to the students a couple of times a week, and on the first day of school after Mass at St. Joseph Church two people made donations to the school. “People are so elated to see this. They have called the parish center to comment about how nice it is to see the students at Mass.”
There is additional room at the parish center which might be used as the school expands, and Flatt said that there are plans “five to ten years down the road to break ground for our own building. It depends on our support.”
Right now, the yearly tuition is $5,000 per student. “Scholarships and financial aid are available if needed. We are supported from tuition along with donations. Basically we are privately funded. We currently are in the middle of a capital campaign to raise money for the school and are very appreciative of those who help support us financially along with those who are continuously praying for our success.”
She added, “No money comes from the parishes.”
Susan McKenzie is the Spanish I and II teacher at the high school. She has teaching experience in both public and Catholic schools. She said, “With the smaller groups there’s so much you can do. You get to know the kids a lot faster, and you call on them more instead of waiting for them to volunteer.
“When kids are in a large group, some have the tendency to fade into the group. These kids just ask. They are comfortable with each other.
“It’s an ideal situation.”
So far, Kyle agrees. When asked if he misses the opportunity to participate in sports and other extra-curricular activities, he says, “I really don’t think I am missing out. It’s more important to go to this high school than be in extra-curricular activities. I still get to have fun.”