LAKE CHARLES, La. — Nearly five years after a devastating hurricane forced it to hold classes in temporary modular buildings, St. Louis Catholic High School in Lake Charles is moving forward with an ambitious plan to rebuild — and expand — on a brand-new campus.

According to The Advocate, the only Catholic high school in Lake Charles lost its former campus in August 2020 when a powerful hurricane ripped the roof off the main building and left much of the structure beyond repair. “St. Louis Catholic High School was a complete loss after the storm tore off its roof and left the academic building unsalvageable,” the paper reports.

In the years since, about 500 students have continued their education in modular classrooms while the school’s leadership worked to secure funding, purchase land, and design a modern campus that would not only replace what was lost but provide more space and new amenities.

Now, ground has been broken on a 47-acre site purchased in 2022, giving St. Louis Catholic the opportunity to build facilities it could never accommodate at its previous location.

The first phase of the roughly $54 million project will deliver four major new buildings:

• A 70,000-square-foot academic building for general classes.
• A 16,000-square-foot science building and cafeteria.
• A 22,000-square-foot athletic complex.
• And a 47,000-square-foot gymnasium for student athletics and events.

Principal Kelly DeMolle says the new location means the school can finally add something it has never had — its own outdoor sports fields. “The school has never owned its sports fields and was unable to build any because there was no additional land available for purchase near the old site,” DeMolle explained.

The redesigned campus will have room to grow as well. While about 500 students currently attend St. Louis Catholic, the new buildings will be able to serve up to 800 students, expanding opportunities for local families seeking Catholic secondary education.

Once the first phase is complete — which is expected by spring 2027 — the school plans to launch a second phase that will include additional amenities like a chapel, an outdoor amphitheater, and multiple athletic fields.

The school is covering part of the cost through a mix of federal aid and local fundraising. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has committed $32 million to the rebuild, and a campaign is underway to raise the remaining funds from alumni, parishioners, and the wider community.

The new campus was designed by Champeaux Evans Hotard Architects and will be constructed by Trahan Construction, which has experience building large-scale educational and community projects across Louisiana.

School leaders and local supporters see the rebuild not just as a replacement, but as a chance to create a better environment for students, teachers, and the local Catholic community.

DeMolle said the goal is to give students and families a campus that’s safe, modern, and built for the future — with the resilience to withstand the region’s challenging weather.

Once open, the new St. Louis Catholic High School will stand as both a symbol of recovery and a commitment to education that serves generations to come.

Originally reported by Mike Kennedy in ASU Mag.