St. John XXIII College Preparatory, formerly Pope John XXIII High School, is a Catholic independent, non-profit, coeducational, private day school in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, United States, near Katy. The school serves grades 9–12. The academic year consists of two semesters, running from approximately August to December and from January to May. Student leadership development through the Works of Mercy program is a distinct characteristic of the school, and leadership principles are integrated into every course at St. John XXIII. SJ23 is accredited by and is a member of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (RCAGH), led by Archbishop Daniel Cardinal DiNardo. SJ23 is also the first new private day school to open in the Katy area in over fifty years, having opened in 2004. It is located at 1800 West Grand Parkway North.

The principal is Joseph Noonan.

History

The Houston real estate company Westside Ventures Inc. donated the land used for the school, which first opened in the fall of 2004; the initial construction had a cost of $8 million and included classroom and athletic facilities. It was the first Catholic school to be built in Greater Houston since Strake Jesuit College Preparatory opened in the 1960s. Pope John XXIII initially had only the 9th grade, with 47 students enrolled in its first year of classes. As time passed, the school added more grade levels.

In 2008 the school had 165 students, and in the spring of that year the school held its first graduation. and in January 2012 the phase opened. The school had 400 students in the 2013–2014 school year. The school held its 10h anniversary celebration on October 11, 2013, and the canonization of Pope John XIII was expected the following year.

As of the 2013–2014 school year there were 10 students per teacher, and the average class size was 16. and it was the only one in Greater Houston to do so.

See also

  • Christianity in Houston

Notes and references

  • Pope John XXIII School home page
  • Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston