Advancing Our Church

Published: May 16, 2017 Today's story is about the successful formation of Berks Catholic High School in Reading, Pennsylvania (Diocese of Allentown), a co-ed high school formed in 2011 through the merger of Reading Central Catholic and Holy Name high schools. Both of the former high schools had proud traditions and tremendous legacies. But the new school exceeded all expectations and defied the odds.  In this episode, Jim Friend interviews Tony Balistrere, Principal and his colleagues Nicole (Chiarelli) Smith, Admissions Director and Fr. Gene Ritz, the school’s Chaplain, as we discuss why they now have an enrollment that exceeds the combined enrollment of the two previous schools combined. Tony and Jim begin by discussing the early days of the transition team, the formation of the school, how the school has remained successful through enrollment and development and the work of the board of directors.  Tony’s insights on how to connect alumni from the two previous schools with the current mission of Ber