HUNTERSVILLE — St. Mark Catholic School’s students and staff gathered in the school’s gym to celebrate the newly painted gymnasium floor with a ribbon cutting and blessing from Father Chinonso A. Nnebe-Agumadu on Oct. 11. Along with a newly painted floor, new championship banners were hung along the walls. After the blessing, the students turned up the noise – celebrating the members of their sports and cheer teams with a pep rally.
— Catholic News Herald. Photos by Troy Hull.
CHARLOTTE — Enrollment season is here again for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte, which this year has a record number of students and is exploring possible expansion at several schools.
Sign up for the school system’s nine Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) officially opens Nov. 2, with parish-based schools following soon after.
“Our schools are thriving, as we continue to become a destination diocese for teachers and students,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, superintendent of Catholic schools. “Families are spreading the word about the great education and faith-filled environments we offer across our 20 schools.”
More than 8,100 students enrolled in Catholic schools for the current 2022-’23 school year, an increase of 18 percent since the pandemic started in 2020. Interest in attending next year is expected to increase, so Monroe encourages prospective families to research schools they are interested in and begin the enrollment process as soon as possible.
Monroe said he was recently reminded of the impact of Catholic education.
Last month in Raleigh, Monroe met a man and through conversation learned his son had attended Charlotte Catholic High School. The son graduated with a solid foundation, the father said proudly, and is now doing well at The College of Charleston.
The man then pulled out his phone to show Monroe a photo of his son walking across the stage at Charlotte Catholic’s graduation in 2022. Monroe laughed when he noticed that he himself was also in the photo – shaking the son’s hand.
“He told me that choosing to send his son to Charlotte Catholic was one of the best decisions he’d ever made,” Monroe said.
“To meet one of our parents, and hear that, is a testament to what we do in our schools. We want parents to know we see each child as uniquely beloved by God, and we will help them succeed – not only in academics and careers, but also in their ultimate vocation and finding who God wants them to become.”
MACS is a family of nine Catholic schools in the greater Charlotte area. Online enrollment for the 2024-’25 school year for MACS begins Nov. 2. Apply and learn more at www.discovermacs.org/apply.
Prospective families can also contact the MACS Admissions Office at 704-370-3273 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Outside the Charlotte area, 11 other Catholic schools in the diocese will soon begin enrolling students, at elementary, middle and high schools. Contact the specific schools to check for start dates and application details, and to schedule visits.
An affiliate of the diocesan school system is Canongate Catholic High School in Arden, which offers a classical education. More information is available at 828-712-8294 or at canongatecatholic.org
Financial aid
Scholarship opportunities and financial aid are available to qualified families, making Catholic education more accessible to all. Go online to: www.discovermacs.org/financialaid or call your local Catholic school to explore the best financial aid options for your family.
— Christina Lee Knauss