BOALSBURG — Thunder rumbled in the distance, but the heavens held off from dampening the front steps of St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy.
Bishop Mark Bartchak took care of that.
Bartchak, the head of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, sprinkled holy water on the academy entrance Monday evening as part of a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new high school.
Earlier, bishop the grabbed a shovel and scooped a spadeful of earth beside the former Boalsburg Elementary School. Joining him were Monsignor David Lockard from Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and fellow academy board members Sam Malizia and Rob Shearer.
“I used to get in trouble playing in the dirt,” Bartchak said before digging in.
He turned serious addressing the several dozen parents, students and other guests gathered for the ceremony and a reception afterward. Building renovations continue as the academy approaches the first day of classes Aug. 30.
Reading from his commendation letter for the academy, Bartchak said parents will come to understand their support “is an investment of immense value.”
“The dividend will be in the contributions that (students) will make in our world when they share with others the investment you made in them: the transforming love and truth of Jesus Christ,” Bartchak said.
Since the academy took ownership of the building June 27, workers have been busy remodeling inside and out in the first of three construction phases. New windows look out on Boalsburg Pike, and a fresh sidewalk runs to the front steps. Lockers need to be installed, pipes and wiring remain exposed and a future chapel waits for an altar, but classrooms and offices are coming together.
“We’re on schedule,” said Jean Kozak, dean of students and the academy’s guidance counselor.
The groundbreaking ceremony was “basically to show that this is a new building,” Kozak said, adding, “It’s a new persona.” A formal dedication will take place in the fall.
To date, the academy’s $5.6 million capital campaign has raised $1.5 million and is progressing as planned, Principal Douglas Bleggi said.
Thirty-eight students have enrolled, bringing the academy closer to its desired limit of 50 for the first year, Kozak said. Starting with freshmen and sophomores, it plans to expand to four grades and, eventually, increase its student body to about 300.
Annual tuition for initial students will be $5,500 for as long as they attend. For later domestic students, tuition will be $6,500; international students will pay $13,400. Of the enrolled students to date, Kozak said, 20 are paying full tuition; the rest have financial aid. Four full scholarships remain available, she said.
Enrollment so far includes one Jewish and several Protestant students, Kozak said, noting the academy hopes to have the typical amount of non-Catholic students — about 30 percent — for Catholic schools.
One non-Catholic student this fall will be Gabe Shull, 14, of State College. Along with classmates on Monday, he picked up his blue “Spirit Pack” — a bag containing a T-shirt, stickers, bracelet and other welcome gifts — in the unfinished student union.
He said he enrolled for the academy’s size, though he’ll miss playing his favorite sport, lacrosse.
“Seems pretty fine,” he said of his future school. “It’s going to be an adventure.”
Before the reception, Bleggi stood on the front steps and welcomed his first two classes.
“We’re ready to help you in your mind, your body, your spirit and your heart,” he said. “Come into our house. We’re ready for you.”
Chris Rosenblum can be reached at 231-4620.
