Our parish and the broader northern Middle Tennessee region are growing quickly, with more families seeking a strong, faith filled Catholic education. The proposed school responds to this growth and to our desire to form young disciples within an integrated parish and school community that supports our mission to sanctify Hendersonville. A joint steering committee of pastors, educators, and parents is prayerfully discerning how best to serve the wider region. Please pray for us as we discern these next steps, that the Holy Spirit may guide our path forward.
School Discernment Letter to the Community
Please click to read an update on our discernment process as we explore adding a PreK 4 through 5th grade school at Our Lady of the Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is Our Lady of the Lake considering opening a new Catholic school?
Our parish and the broader northern Middle Tennessee area are growing rapidly, and more families are seeking a strong, faith-filled Catholic education for their children. The proposed school is a response to that growth and a desire to form more young disciples in an integrated parish–school community in support of our mission to sanctify Hendersonville. This effort is being guided by a joint steering committee of pastors, educators, and parents who are discerning how best to serve the whole region, not just one parish.
2. Will this new school compete with the Catholic schools at St. John Vianney or St. Joseph’s?
No. The explicit intent is collaboration, not competition. The pastors and school leadership of Our Lady of the Lake, St. John Vianney, and Pope St. John Paul II Prep have affirmed a shared commitment to Catholic education in northern Middle Tennessee and to working together for the good of all families. The level and structure of collaboration are still being discerned, but the vision is that our schools support one another in mission and resource sharing rather than compete or operate in isolation.
3. How will this affect families already connected to St. John Vianney or St. Joseph’s?
We recognize that many Hendersonville families have deep history and loyalty with St. John Vianney and St. Joseph’s. The goal is not to “pull” families away, but to expand options and capacity as the Catholic population grows. As planning continues, leadership from all three communities will be in dialogue about enrollment patterns, tuition assistance, and ways to support families who wish to stay at their current schools while still benefiting from a more coordinated regional system of Catholic education.
4. In the recent letter regarding the initiative to explore the possibility of a new Catholic school St. Joseph was not listed as a collaborator along with Our Lady of the Lake, St. John Vianney and Saint Pope John Paul II Preparatory School? What is the reason for this?
Our Lady of the Lake, St. John Vianney, St. Joseph and Saint Pope John Paul II Preparatory School were all a part of the initial steering committee when conducting the school feasibility study with Meitler. The Meitler study showed significant growth in the East Nashville and surrounding areas, creating new opportunities for St. Joseph to continue to thrive and expand its mission in that part of the region. As a result, St. Joseph’s leadership will focus on serving families living in the East Nashville market. Therefore, they decided not to participate in the Northern Schools strategy. That said, Our Lady of the Lake, St. John Vianney and Saint Pope John Paul II Preparatory School and St. Joseph remain united in our shared commitment to Catholic education across the diocese.
5. What grades would the new school serve, and when would it open?
The Steering Committee for the new school initiative is focused on opening an early elementary school on the Our Lady of the Lake campus, with an initial launch in the 2027–2028 school year and one grade added each year thereafter. The exact starting configuration (for example, Pre-K through 1st or 2nd grade) and the eventual “cap” grade are being studied in light of parish needs, facilities, staffing, and the impact on existing schools. The Steering Committee will share more details as plans are finalized.
6. How will this new school connect with Pope St. John Paul II Preparatory School?
The vision is that Our Lady of the Lake’s school will be a natural feeder into Pope St. John Paul II Preparatory School, with strong alignment in faith formation, academic rigor, and culture. The core values proposed for Our Lady of the Lake’s school—family-focused, prioritizing excellence, rooted in prayer, and fostering a welcoming culture—mirror JPII’s emphasis on forming students who love God and neighbor, seek truth, lead with courage, and serve others. This shared mission helps ensure a common vision for spiritual and academic growth and development from early childhood through high school.
7. What are the guiding values and culture of the proposed school?
Our Lady of the Lake’s school would exist “to sanctify Hendersonville,” providing for the sacramental, spiritual, and social needs of the city. It would strive to be:
• Family focused
• Committed to excellence
• Rooted in prayer
• Warm and welcoming
These values are complemented by JPII’s core values: sacrificial ambition for the mission, honest collaboration, a spirit of Catholic ecumenism, and an eternally hopeful view of each child’s vocation and destiny in Christ. Together, they describe a school that is Christ-centered, student-focused, and oriented toward the Gospel in every aspect of school life.
8. How will concerns about finances, enrollment, and long-term sustainability be addressed?
The decision to open a new school will only be made if it can be pursued in a responsible and sustainable way. The Steering Committee is reviewing data on parish and regional growth, potential enrollment, facility capacity, staffing, and operating costs. Because this school will exist within a network of Catholic schools, the intent is to think regionally about resources. Parishioners will be kept informed as financial models and enrollment projections are defined, and there will be opportunities for input before any final decision is made.
9. How will the school impact the use of church spaces for ministry use?
The church is deeply aware that Our Lady of the Lake’s campus is already home to many active and vibrant ministries. Protecting ministry life is a key consideration in the discernment process. The goal is integration, not competition, creating a campus where church, school, and ministries complement and strengthen one another. Facility use, scheduling, and long-term campus planning are all being thoughtfully studied so that the school supports the broader mission of the church and enhances, rather than restricts, the sacramental and communal life of Our Lady of the Lake.