In 2011, Meitler partnered with Holy Apostles Catholic Church in Meridian, Idaho (Diocese of Boise) in facilitating a new Catholic elementary school feasibility study. Meridian and the surrounding area at that time were projected to experience significant growth and Holy Apostles Catholic Church was the second largest parish in the area with over 2,000 families.
Enrollment potential was determined by means of a comprehensive study of community demographics and a market research survey within the local city and Catholic communities and indicated a high level of interest in a Catholic school. Further financial analysis indicated there would be both sufficient interest and support to build a new school. As a result, in 2016, St. Ignatius Catholic School opened at Holy Apostles Catholic Church and has two sections of each grade with a capacity of 490 students. It’s innovative academic program focuses on individualized, multi-age and inquiry-based learning using technology in blended learning and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).
St. Ignatius Catholic School is an example of how a comprehensive, data-driven study can provide vision and a compelling case to move successfully to healthy enrollment as a new school.
