St. Petersburg Catholic High School just got the official nod to launch a sweeping, multi-year transformation of its west-side campus, a $64 million overhaul that will unfold while teens are still hustling to class. The master plan outlines more than 160,000 square feet of new academic, athletic and administrative space, with school leaders saying the upgrades are aimed at better science labs and modern classrooms as enrollment has surged in recent years.
DRC sign-off clears the way
On July 1, the St. Petersburg Development Review Commission signed off on a long-range master plan that authorizes 163,133 square feet of new construction spread across 11 phases. The approval covers an estimated $64 million buildout that includes revamped athletic fields, stormwater system improvements and added parking, with later stages tied to private fundraising. As reported by St. Pete Rising, the blueprint is designed to update aging facilities while keeping the campus open and functioning throughout the construction timeline.
First phase: science center breaks ground
The first big piece is already moving. Construction crews have started work on the new Center for Scientific Discovery, according to the contractor, which announced the milestone in a recent post. The building will feature dedicated biology, chemistry, physics and biomedical science labs that support the school's Project Lead The Way STEM curriculum, per a Hennessy Construction Services update. The contractor noted that diocesan officials and school leaders attended the ceremonial kickoff and highlighted that the project is meant to significantly expand hands-on lab time for students.
Design moves and a future athletics hub
Local firm ARC3 Architecture led the campus design work, which includes plans for a relocated, two-story, 25,000-square-foot administration building, upgraded stormwater systems and about 220 additional parking spaces intended to relieve pressure on surrounding streets. A roughly 80,000-square-foot athletics center is slated for a later phase and is anticipated within four to six years, depending on fundraising. ARC3's president said the new buildings are oriented toward the interior of the property in order to bolster campus security. The broader development team brings together Hennessy Construction and engineering firm George F. Young, according to St. Pete Rising.
Why it matters locally
Enrollment at the college-prep school has jumped in recent years, growing from the mid-200s to around the 500s, a trend documented by the Diocese's Gulf Coast Catholic. The campus spans roughly 40 acres at 6333 9th Avenue North, according to the school's own campus materials, and administrators say the focus of the investment is on improving academic and extracurricular offerings rather than packing in more students. With the science center already underway, school leaders are turning to private fundraising to unlock subsequent phases while keeping day-to-day life on campus as normal as possible.
What's next
With DRC approval secured and site work in progress, the timing of the broader campus remake now hinges on how quickly donors step up. School officials say the phased buildout is meant to strike a balance, maintaining a functioning high school environment while construction continues and dialing back neighborhood impacts through added parking and stormwater fixes.
