A proposed school would be part of the Chesterton Academy network, which emphasizes classical education, Catholic identity, character formation and a curriculum rooted in history, literature, logic, philosophy, theology and the arts.

The proposed school would emphasize classical education, Catholic identity, character formation, and a curriculum rooted in history, literature, logic, philosophy, theology, and the arts.

By George D. Rotsch, Editor, Delaware LIVE

WILMINGTON, DE:  A Wilmington-area mother who believes many families are looking for a different kind of education is helping lead an effort to launch a new classical Catholic high school that could open as soon as 2027.

Nicole Collins, chair of the planned Chesterton Academy of Wilmington, said the school is being developed for parents who want stronger academics, clearer values and a return to the roots of Catholic education.

“I think there’s a lot of people like me out there who want something more but can’t quite articulate it,” Collins said during a recent webcast. “If they just know that this is an option … once they hear about it, I think it would interest a lot of people.”

A different model of education

The proposed school would be part of the Chesterton Academy network, which emphasizes classical education, Catholic identity, character formation and a curriculum rooted in history, literature, logic, philosophy, theology and the arts.

The idea is still in the planning stages. Collins said the group hopes to open with about 23 students and is still working through major decisions, including location, staffing and fundraising.

The school has not yet selected a building, but supporters discussed the possibility of using empty or underused church or school space as a practical way to bring the concept to life.

Making use of empty space

That idea resonated during the discussion, with participants noting that many churches and former Catholic school buildings have unused space at the same time many parents are searching for alternatives.

Collins said the school would likely start small and grow over time. Because many students may not have a classical education background, she said freshmen and sophomores may begin at similar academic levels in some subjects during the early years.

The school’s staffing model also could be flexible. Collins said the academy could hire several part-time teachers or a smaller number of teachers who cover multiple subjects, depending on enrollment and the skills of the people who come forward.

Forming the whole student

The mission, she said, is not simply to teach content, but to help form students more fully.

Classical education, as discussed during the webcast, is built around helping students understand the world, their role in it, how earlier generations thought, and how logic, analysis and foundational ideas apply to modern life.

Supporters said that type of education could appeal to families who want more discipline, stronger communication skills, deeper intellectual formation and a school culture built around faith and purpose.

Starting small

Collins acknowledged that a small private school would not have the same resources as a public school. She said the academy may offer tutoring or extra academic help for students who need support, though it would not be able to provide full special education services.

The group is also working through the legal and organizational steps required to open. Collins said the school is close to receiving its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and is currently focused on fundraising.

Collins said the effort has become more manageable because of the team around her, including people helping with donor relations, curriculum, education planning and marketing.

A return to Catholic roots

The broader argument behind the school is that some parents believe existing options are not meeting the needs of their children — academically, spiritually or culturally.

Collins said Catholic education in many places has become more secular over time, and she believes there is room for schools that return more directly to traditional Catholic formation.

“I’m not attacking any one school or one diocese,” she said. “It’s global that this has happened.”

Getting the word out

The school is still more vision than reality, but Collins and her supporters say the opportunity is real: a small group of students, a willing team, unused space and parents who believe there may be a better way.

For now, the work is focused on fundraising, finding the right location and getting more families to hear about the idea.

“We’ve got to get them to hear about it,” Collins said.

To Go Box:

• What: Chesterton Academy of Wilmington, a planned classical Catholic high school
• Status: In development, with a goal of opening in 2027
• Planned enrollment: About 23 students in the first class
• Website: CAWILM.org
• Contact: Use the contact form or contact email listed on the school website
• Social media: Search for Chesterton Academy Wilmington on Instagram
• How to help: Families, teachers, donors and volunteers can reach out through the website. The site also includes a donation link connected to the school’s current fundraising effort.

Delaware LIVE collaborates with a network of professional journalists to cover a diverse range of stories across various fields.  Staff Writers include experienced journalists and young professionals.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact [email protected] or our publisher, George D. Rotsch, at [email protected]