Growing in Faith
Across the diocese, students will be returning to expanded campuses, renovated classrooms and new programs, including the transition to a different stye of learning at Holy Trinity Catholic Academy. (Photos by Troy C. Hull | Catholic News Herald) CHARLOTTE — More than 8,000 students are gearing up to return to Catholic schools across the Diocese of Charlotte beginning Aug. 17, with many to be greeted by improved facilities, new programs, new leaders and new families.
Cubbies and lockers will once again be full as students come back to classrooms starting Aug. 17.
The diocese’s only standalone middle school has a new name to reflect its new approach: Holy Trinity Catholic Academy in Charlotte has begun its transition toward blending the advantages of single-sex and co-ed classes for a more tailored educational experience. Other schools from the mountains to the Triad will unveil new athletic and other facilities, including Charlotte Catholic, Christ the King and Bishop McGuinness high schools.
Enthusiasm for Catholic education continues to remain high, school officials said, with enrollment in diocesan schools holding steady. Many schools are near capacity following years of continued growth.
“There is a great deal to be excited about,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, superintendent of Catholic schools. “Our schools are continuing to grow in different ways, but what is most encouraging is the strong culture taking shape across the diocese.”
He stressed the important contribution Catholic schools make in educating both the mind and the spirit of students.
“We have excellent educators, committed families and school leaders who understand that Catholic education is about strong academic achievement – but also about something more. It’s about forming young people in faith, character and wisdom as disciples of Christ.”
In western North Carolina, the second school year after Hurricane Helene is feeling more like a return to normal.
Last year, some school families had to leave to find new homes or employment after residences and businesses were damaged or destroyed, said Margaret Beale, principal of Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville.
This year, “we’re still seeing some impacts, a few school families that are having to move particularly because a parent’s job never came back after the storm, but in general, everything has settled down,” Beale says. “Everything here is busy, and we’re excited to begin the new year.”
The halls at Our Lady of the Assumption in Charlotte are filled with activity as walls get a fresh coat of paint before students return to campus. Many schools took the summer months to upgrade facilities.
What’s new for 2026-27:
Blended education
Holy Trinity Catholic Academy’s shift toward blended education embraces different learning styles to provide students the best of both worlds, school leaders say. Beginning with sixth graders only this year, single-sex instruction will be offered in core classes such as English and math, while co-ed instruction will continue in electives and extracurricular activities. This approach will phase in over three years, with seventh and eighth grade following over the next two years.
The school is also seeing progress on its three-phase, $11.7 million enhancement project. Thanks partly to a grant of more than $1 million from Shea Homes, the existing athletic field has been regraded, and new drainage and synthetic turf will go in this fall, along with lighting and team benches. As part of the project, the fine arts classrooms are being upgraded with modernized flooring, lighting and instructional equipment.
“While our name has changed, our mission remains the same,” said Kevin Parks, who is beginning his second year as Holy Trinity president after 17 years as principal. “Our new name reflects our enduring commitment to academic excellence, intentional faith formation, and preparing students to lead with confidence, compassion and integrity.”
Parks will work alongside Principal Robert “Bobby” Conrad, beginning his second year in the role, to see that the exciting changes are successful.
At St. Ann School in Charlotte, crews work to complete audiovisual and lighting improvements in the gym and to install acoustic panels in the cafeteria.
Upgrades at high schools
Charlotte Catholic High School is completing the first phase of an $8.5 million program of improvements that include upgrading the football field and sideline to premium artificial turf and renovating its media center into a multi-faceted student life center. Both will be ready for students’ return, said Kurt Telford, who is returning to his role as principal after a two-year stint as head of school. Michael Seeley joins Telford as the school’s president, a role that focuses on long-range planning, community relationships, financial and operational management and fundraising.
Charlotte Catholic has also been raising money to help transform a recently acquired building next to the campus into a Computer, Technology and Engineering Innovation Center, which will house career and technical education. Telford said work on that project is expected to begin this fall.
Christ the King High School in Huntersville will have a new playing surface for its athletic field with expanded bleachers that seat more than 1,000 people, as well as new restrooms and better accessibility. Teams will begin using the new facilities this fall, and a ribbon-cutting is set for Sept. 11.
“Everything is going along better than ‘according to plan,’’’ said Principal Mark Tolcher. “It’s going along great!”
Work is progressing on its $12 million expansion that will increase the school’s footprint by 21,000 square feet to 73,271. The project includes adding a new entry to the gym and a north lobby equipped with concession stands, ticketing booths and a Crusaders Spirit Store for the school’s athletics, band, musical and theatrical events.
Other perks include an expanded weight training area, a chorus and band studio, two additional classrooms, an industrial design workspace and a larger cafeteria with a full kitchen to prepare meals on site. The expansion is expected to be completed after Christmas break.
“The expansion offers us not just an increased footprint but also the ability to offer different programming and an enhanced education experience for both students and faculty,” Tolcher said.
Bishop McGuinness High School is hitting a milestone this year with enrollment reaching more than 500 students for the first time in about 15 years, said President Jared Rashford.
After a successful start last year, Bishop McGuinness is also expanding its St. Gabriel Program, which serves students with intellectual disabilities, to cater to a broader range of learners.
“Through individualized instruction, dedicated teachers and an expanded peer partner program that fosters both academic and social inclusion, we are helping students with diverse learning needs become fully integrated members of the Bishop McGuinness community,” said Principal Claire Willis.
Improvements to the school’s athletic facilities are expected to be complete by the end of August, including construction of six lighted tennis courts and outdoor restrooms and picnic facilities,
Rashford said. The gym floor was replaced and seating increased to accommodate about 800. New flooring is also being laid in the chapel, and the chairs are being reupholstered.
Students from Charlotte Catholic High School help volunteers from St. Gabriel donate used furniture to classrooms in need.
Other summer projects:
Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville recently began renovations of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton House on Oakland Avenue, adjacent to the campus. It serves as home for Principal Beale and several religious sisters and eventually will be used to house teaching interns.
St. Gabriel School donated two truckloads of furniture to schools in need as it updated its classrooms with furniture that adapts to varied uses. Students at St. Patrick School in Charlotte will return to classrooms with gleaming restored wooden floors. Over the summer, carpet in all the classrooms was removed and the original cedar floors, which are more than 90 years old, were restored, said Principal Nicholas Calametti.
At St. Gabriel School, students are returning to new furniture in 14 classrooms, a retiled lobby floor and ongoing athletic field improvements including a new track, new sod and an irrigation system, said Assistant Principal Deven Dickerson.
St. Leo School in Winston-Salem underwent a $2.2 million replacement of its roof and HVAC system. “It is a major project that has long been needed, and it is expected to be done before school starts,” said Emmett Sapp, director of construction and real estate for the Diocese of Charlotte.
St. Mark School in Huntersville replaced the natural turf on its athletic field with artificial turf. The next phase of the project includes installing a playground.
Sacred Heart School in Salisbury is completing an art room funded by a $166,000 Shea Homes grant. To convert a shared space into a fully functional art room, a wall was sealed and soundproofed, storage for art supplies and a sink were incorporated, and interior finishes were upgraded to promote creativity. Existing furniture was replaced with flexible seating to accommodate students of varying ages.
St. Ann School in Charlotte is spotlighting students with audiovisual and lighting enhancements to its performance stage in the gym, as well as the installation of acoustical panels in the cafeteria, all funded by its annual fund.
— Christina Lee Knauss
CHARLOTTE — Catholic school communities in Charlotte and Huntersville are welcoming new presidents and a principal this fall, while a veteran educator has transitioned into a position in the Catholic Schools Office.
Dr. Carl Semmler is moving from his leadership roles at Christ the King High School in Huntersville into a new administrative position designed to increase collaboration in the diocese’s growing school system. Meanwhile, three recent hires from across the country have been chosen to lead at Christ the King and at Charlotte Catholic High School and St. Matthew School in Charlotte.
Carl Semmler
Semmler, who served as Christ the King’s principal for six years and as president for the past three, will be the diocese’s new executive director of Catholic Identity, Operations and Capital Improvements for Catholic Schools.
He will work closely with leaders across all 20 Catholic schools to strengthen Catholic identity, support school operations, and oversee facilities planning and capital improvement initiatives.
During his tenure at Christ the King, Semmler oversaw the quadrupling of the school’s footprint and a 73% increase in enrollment. He brings 30 years of experience in Catholic education across three dioceses, including more than two decades in educational leadership.
“Dr. Semmler is a respected Catholic educator whose experience, leadership and commitment to our mission have already had a tremendous impact on our diocese,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, superintendent of schools. “Having served successfully as both a principal and president, he understands the opportunities and challenges our schools face each day. I am grateful for his willingness to serve in this new role and know he will be a tremendous resource for our principals and school leaders.”
“We are blessed with exceptional teachers and school leaders, and I look forward to partnering with them as we continue strengthening Catholic education across the Diocese of Charlotte,” Semmler said.
Shaileen Riginos
After a national search, Christ the King looked across the state line to name veteran South Carolina educator Shaileen Riginos as its new president.
Riginos, who is the first female high school president in the diocese, holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and a Master of Arts in educational leadership from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.
Most recently, she served as associate superintendent for the Diocese of Charleston, where she provided strategic leadership across 32 Catholic schools, supporting pastors, diocesan leaders and school administrators. She previously spent 10 years as principal at St. Anne Catholic School in Rock Hill.
“Christ the King has long been a model of what a thriving Catholic high school can be,” Riginos said. “While leading the expansion of St. Anne Catholic School into the first PK-3 through 12 school in the Diocese of Charleston, I often looked to CTK as an example of strong Catholic identity and student formation. To now have the privilege of serving as its president feels like it is coming full circle.”
“Mrs. Riginos brings broad experience at both the diocesan and school levels, along with strong expertise in strategic planning and relationship building, which will serve the Christ the King community well as the school continues to grow,” Monroe said.
Tonya Eaton
Veteran educator Tonya Eaton has been named principal at St. Matthew School in Charlotte. Eaton brings nearly three decades of experience in Catholic education, serving as a teacher, principal and diocesan leader.
She holds a master’s degree in school leadership from St. Louis University and a Bachelor of Arts in business education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Eaton previously served as director of educational services for the Diocese of Des Moines, supporting schools in curriculum development, professional learning and student services. In 2014, she served as the first principal of St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School in Ankeny, Iowa, guiding the school through its early development and growth.
“It was clear from our first conversations that Mrs. Eaton has a real love for her faith and a genuine joy in working with children,” Monroe said, “and she will be a great fit for our school system with her past experiences and skillset.”
“I am excited and blessed to serve as the next principal of St. Matthew Catholic School,” Eaton said. “Throughout my years in Catholic education, I have been grateful for the opportunity to help students grow academically and in their faith. I look forward to partnering with the faculty, staff and families of St. Matthew as we continue the tradition of educating saints and scholars.”
Michael Seeley
Charlotte Catholic High School has named Michael Seeley, a long-time education leader and administrator, as its president.
Most recently he was president of the Lafayette Catholic School System in Indiana, where he provided strategic and operational leadership across multiple campuses, overseeing enrollment, advancement, finances, governance and long-range planning.
Seeley has more than two decades of senior leadership experience in both Catholic and independent school settings, including the University of Notre Dame, Phillips Exeter Academy and Culver Academies. He has done extensive work in institutional advancement, admissions and enrollment management, and also worked closely with boards, donors and diocesan leaders.
As president of Charlotte Catholic, Seeley will focus on the school’s long-range planning, community relationships, financial and operational management and fundraising. He will partner in leading the school with longtime principal Kurt Telford.
“I am looking forward to this new chapter, which not only allows me to work with Michael but also to return to my true love of working closely with students and teachers as principal,” Telford said.
Seeley added, “I look forward to working alongside dedicated and passionate students, teachers, staff and families as we fulfill our shared mission to graduate not only scholars and athletes but disciples of Christ.”
— Catholic News Herald and Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools Office