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New Catholic School Being Built In Austin

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Jun 26, 2008 5:41 pm US/Central

New Catholic School Being Built In Austin

Reporting
Susan Carlson

CHICAGO (CBS) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: Cardinal Francis George and Mayor Daley break ground for a new Catholic school in the Austin neighborhood, Christ the King College Prep.
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A brand new Catholic high school is being built on Chicago's West Side -- in the Austin neighborhood.

As CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports, the school opening marks a milestone for Catholic education.

Mayor Daley and Cardinal Francis George were among the dignitaries breaking ground on what will become Christ the King College Prep. The mayor, himself, is a product of Catholic schooling.

"They gave me an education and a good name," Daley said. "That's the tools you need in life and that's what you are providing here."

This is the first time the Archdiocese has seen an increase in schools in 42 years, and it's the first Catholic school to be built on the West Side in 85 years.

"This is a great sign of hope," said Fr. Donald Senior.

Father Senior is the president of the Catholic Theological Union. He says many Catholic schools have been forced to close in the past 20 years because of rising expenses.

"Especially the labor costs," Fr. Senior said. "Before you had sisters, and priests and brothers, who were sort of cheap labor, I guess you could say."

To help fund their education, students at Christ the King will also have a job.

"They're going to send us to buildings downtown, hospitals and places for us to work, and that's going to help pay for our tuition," said student Kiana Johnson.

"The work study pays 70-75 percent," said Cardinal Francis George. "The families donate something, every family gives something."

"This is really a new, creative formula for Catholic schools," Fr. Senior said.

It will take about a year for construction to be completed here. Christ the King freshmen will start at a temporary building at St. Martin de Porres. The new school building will be ready for students in the fall of 2009.

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