Construction

work on Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School in north

Fayette County is "moving along nicely,"

according to Sister Dawn Gear, principal of the new

secondary school. "The walls are up and the roof is

on," Gear said Thursday.

Our Lady of

Mercy is scheduled to open in the fall of this year with

ninth and tenth grades only. Gear emphasized the unique

opportunity students would have starting in a brand new

school with smaller classes and a full complement of

activities. "We're really excited about it now that

it is taking shape. I want the kids now," she

laughed.

The school

is located on GA Hwy. 138 at Holyfield Highway and has

the distinction of being the first Catholic secondary

school located on the southside of Atlanta.

The

admission process has begun, according to Gear, and the

current enrollment reflects a "nice variety" of

students from various locations in the south metro area.

"The

enrollment is going to drive the hiring," Gear said,

so she is somewhat anxious about number of students she

will be welcoming to the new school. There is also the

application and testing process to be completed by

prospective students prior to acceptance.

Ground was

broken on March 3 for the college preparatory school,

which will ultimately accommodate up to 500 students.

The

blueprints for Our Lady of Mercy will duplicate those of

Blessed Trinity High School being built in Roswell by the

Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. The campus will include

a chapel, cafeteria, media center and library, learning

labs for choral, drama and dance activities, and

auditorium facilities for special ministries and guidance

programs. Gear estimated $1.4 million was tagged for

technology, and would include five computers in each

classroom and 11 computers in the science lab.

Athletic

facilities feature a gymnasium, stadium, with regulation

size fields for football, track and soccer, baseball and

softball diamonds, and tennis courts. Tuition for the

2000-2001 academic year is $6500. For information phone

404-888-7833.