Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School welcomes inaugural class of ninth graders
WILMINGTON, N.C. — Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School (FTPCHS) will open its doors to students this fall for the 2026–2027 school year, marking a significant milestone for Catholic education in the greater Wilmington area. The school, developed through the collaborative efforts of volunteers, clergy, and finance councils from St. Mark Catholic Church and School and the Basilica of St. Mary Catholic Church and School, is committed to academic excellence alongside the integration of faith-based values, moral development, and community service.
Located on the campus of the Basilica of St. Mary at 412 Ann Street in downtown Wilmington, FTPCHS will occupy a dedicated hall on the first floor of the historic Tileston Building. The school's inaugural year will focus on ninth grade, with the potential to add a tenth grade class if sufficient demand exists.
Tuition for the inaugural 2026–2027 school year has been set at $10,000 — an all-inclusive fee covering books, materials, and technology, representing a first-year discount of $2,000 from the standard rate. Families may also be eligible for the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship, which awards approximately $3,000 to $7,000 based on household income, helping make a Catholic high school education accessible to more Wilmington-area families.
Applications are now being accepted on a rolling basis. There is no entrance exam for admission; however, accepted students will participate in placement testing in English and Math in the spring.
The school will also offer athletic opportunities based on student interest, with possibilities including cross country, JV volleyball, and JV basketball in year one. Arrangements are being pursued for the use of nearby city athletic fields to accommodate baseball, soccer, and lacrosse.
The school is named in honor of Father Thomas Frederick Price, a Wilmington native born in 1860 who co-founded the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America — known today as the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers. His legacy of faith and service is reflected in the school's motto: Fides, Scientia, Servitium — Faith, Knowledge, and Service.
For more information on admissions, to download application materials, or to learn more about Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School, visit www.ftpchs.org. General inquiries may be directed to Founding Principal Mr. Fleck at dfleck@ftpchs.org . Admissions questions may also be sent directly to admissions@ftpchs.org.