Wixom — Learning how to “be yourself” in high school is hard enough as it is, but when you’re a Catholic high schooler, the challenge can often be even greater to embrace your own identity while growing in the faith.

In the case of St. Catherine of Siena Academy, a new all-girls high school in Wixom, the spiritual sisterhood has been shown to achieve both.

The school, which opened in 2010, announced on Facebook on Dec. 2 that it had been unanimously voted by the accreditation team of the Archdiocese of Detroit to provide formal recommendation to the Michigan Association of Non-public Schools (MANS) for full accreditation.

“It’s growing so much every year, with new classes, new athletics, new clubs, new activities and events,” said Kathy Tarnacki, principal of the school, who expressed her happiness at the “stamp of approval.”

“We’re finding more people are becoming aware of St. Catherine’s,” she said of the school, which is becoming known for its emphasis on discovering what Blessed Pope John Paul II called the “feminine genius.”

“This feminine genius has been placed within them by God and they discover and develop the fullness of their femininity and their individual gifts and talents,” said Tarnacki, “as they grow in their knowledge and love for Christ and their understanding of themselves.”

 

Numerous opportunities to thrive

Tarnacki described St. Catherine’s as a rigorous college prep high school, and the 137,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building, which was completed in September 2011, stands to prove it.

The building features a large chapel; 27 classrooms; three science labs for biology, chemistry and physics; computer labs; a band/choral room; 2-D and 3-D art rooms; a library/media center; dining hall, and courtyard.

The athletic program itself features a gymnasium with a second-story running track, home and visiting team locker rooms, 1,100-spectator seating, a weight room, concession stand, softball and field hockey fields and a softball batting cage.

Additionally, “through attendance at daily Mass; the opportunity for frequent confession and monthly adoration; theology and philosophy classes; and service to others, they have many opportunities to grow in their faith life,” Tarnacki said.

 

Affirmation of purpose

The new accreditation offered a strong sense of affirmation to the students, especially the 10 seniors graduating this spring.

“It was a big concern coming to a high school that wasn’t accredited yet, but now it’s very exciting,” said senior Allie Barsh of Milford, who attended St. Catherine since freshman year and is a member of the softball team and the pro-life club, as well as being elected senior class president.

Her mother, Michelle Barsh, described the past four years as “an incredibly amazing journey.”

“Our school family is just growing and growing,” said Michelle Barsh, who has another daughter planning to begin at St. Catherine in the fall. “You’d think that as you grow and change you might move away from your mission and need to get back on track, but it’s the opposite: the mission has become imbedded in everything over the years.”

Fellow senior Mary Green of Brighton said her favorite thing about the school is “definitely the staff and teachers.”

“They are not only great examples in teaching, but the example and environment surrounding our high school experience is unique, and I strongly appreciate it,” said Green, who wanted to attend “something like Detroit Catholic Central for girls because my brother had a really great experience there.”

Maura Lee, a freshman from Northville, agreed: “The environment here is super unique — you don’t get that everywhere. We go to Mass every day, and our chaplain, Fr. (Richard) Elmer, gives us homilies we can apply to our everyday lives.”

Interestingly enough, all of Lee’s fellow students interviewed for this story also listed daily Mass as one of their favorite things about the school.

Sophomore Hayley Harris of Westland pointed out that “a lot of people can’t go to Mass every day,” and is thankful to have the opportunity with her classmates.

“You grow in your faith with everyone at the same time,” she said.

“Being part of such a close-knit group gives you a chance to explore your strengths and try new things, and you don’t have to worry about people judging you,” Harris added, explaining that she joined band for the first time while at St. Catherine.

 

Support from the sisterhood

Sophomore Emily Awdish of Novi, a member of the softball and basketball teams as well as the pro-life club, is one of the many girls who enjoy the theology classes.

“Theology class not only helps me grow in my own faith, but it helps me to help other people grow in theirs too,” said Awdish.

And for Mary Masters, a freshman from Canton, besides going to Mass every day, she loves the strong community that helps her grow in her goals.

“St. Catherine has taught me that I can be anybody I want to be so long as I am serving God as I do it,” she said. “A lot of people say you can’t do that, but I’ve been taught that it’s not unrealistic, because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Her mother, Angela Masters, is proud to see her daughter’s experience in the few months at the school.

“The Catholic faith is not a byproduct there,” said Angela Masters, who admitted that with five children tuition is a challenge, but with tuition assistance “it was the answer to a prayer.”

“The girls try to be sisters to each other,” she said. “When Mary started out there, she didn’t know a soul. Her birthday is in September, close to the beginning of the school year, and the girls made a point to decorate her locker for her.”

Angela Masters said the school chapel is available for the students to pray throughout the day, and cited a deeper appreciation of the sacraments among the students themselves: “It gives me hope for the next generation of Catholics. These kids are going to take the reins soon.”

Mary Masters said St. Catherine is like having a “new, bigger family.”

“It’s amazing to come to a place where everyone loves Jesus so much,” she said. “I not only have a bunch of new friends, but a bunch of new sisters as well.”