Daily News

Committee Narrows Pope Francis High School Location to Two Sites

SPRINGFIELD — A review committee for the Diocese of Springfield has narrowed the possible locations for the new Pope Francis High School to two sites: the Surrey Road property in Springfield’s East Forest Park neighborhood that formerly housed Cathedral High School, and a wooded site off Memorial Drive in Chicopee, near St. Stanislaus Cemetery.

The final decision rests with Bishop Mitchell Rozanski. A diocesan spokesman said both sites are about 25 acres, meet engineering and environmental criteria, and offer sufficient space for the school building and athletic fields.

The committee discussed potential sites Monday night during a joint meeting of the school committees of Cathedral and Holyoke Catholic high schools, which are merging into the new, regional school. Three potential sites in West Springfield were rejected, leaving the bishop to choose between Springfield and Chicopee.

Cathedral High School and Holyoke Catholic High School will continue to operate under their current names and locations this fall, and the two schools will be merged in the fall of 2016 as Pope Francis High School, although they may continue to operate out of their current locations if construction extends into that fall.