More than $7 million raised so far for St. Peter Catholic High School renovations

This rendering shows plans for a new Catholic high school in the Archdiocese. Preparations to launch St. Peter Catholic Career and Technical High School is underway, as leaders work to raise an estimated $6.5 million to start construction this summer to welcome up to 200 students in its first phase of opening in 2023. The new school will be located off Old Spanish Trail near SH 288 in Houston’s Riverside Terrace community. (Rendering courtesy of the Catholic Schools Office)

HOUSTON — Strides continue for the new St. Peter Catholic – A Career and Technical High School with more than $7 million raised so far from foundations, businesses, a large anonymous donor and multiple individuals.

The Archdiocesan Catholic School Office has been working with the St. Peter Board of Trustees to raise up to an $11.3 million goal to renovate, furnish and equip the former St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School into a state-of-the-art career and technical high school.
The Scanlan Foundation has awarded $2 million for the project to be the first Catholic school of its kind in Texas. Shea Homes also recently made a generous award for classroom renovations to update the building and install technology.

Archdiocesan School Superintendent Dr. Debra Haney said, “I am excited about the partnerships, including Shea and Scanlan, with our Catholic schools. I am so grateful for their generosity to us already.”

She added, “I am overwhelmed by how excited the community is about this new high school. I am even more thrilled about the inclusivity that the school will provide for any student who wants a Catholic secondary school experience.”

Shea Homes Houston Division President Keith Luechtefeld said, “Shea Homes is proud to partner with the Archdiocese to provide high school students with an opportunity to obtain a technical education while also focusing on character-building and faith formation.”
Previously, Shea Homes completed renovation projects for Holy Ghost Catholic School in southwest Houston and St. Mary of the Purification Catholic School in central Houston.

“At Holy Ghost, Shea assisted with technology, water fountains, paint and athletic equipment,” Haney said. “At St. Mary’s, they outfitted the school playground surrounding it with artificial turf and enhanced the technology in the school’s program… making a huge difference in the lives of the students and teachers.”

St. Peter is located on a 10-acre campus off Old Spanish Trail near the 610 Freeway. The two-story brick building will offer careers first in information technology and web development; business, marketing and finance; education and training; and architecture and construction.
The school is designed to accommodate up to 200 students during Phase 1, beginning with an incoming freshman class of 50 students. As enrollment grows, Phase 2 would add a transportation, distribution and logistics career path. Phase 3 would add health, science and pharmacy technology.

Hands-on experience with industry-standard software and technology will be available for students to be professionally competent in their chosen career paths, Haney said.

“Students can choose to go on to associate degree programs, four-year colleges, or they can go directly into the workforce with certifications to do jobs that are needed by industry,” she said.

The new principal for the school, Dr. Marc Martinez, recently hired in August, has also been working with the school’s board of trustees.
Construction is set to begin prior to the scheduled 2023-24 school opening. Possible partnerships with interested businesses can offer internships to students. Companies can have opportunities for their own experts to be specialized instructors at the school to train students for the workplace.

There are also naming rights available for donors, including the gymnasium, science labs, classrooms and other areas.
For more information, visit www.stpeterhs.org.