Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School is the new Catholic high school in the greater Wilmington, North Carolina area. Developed by volunteers, clergy and finance councils from St. Mark Catholic Church and School, and the Basilica of St. Mary Catholic Church and School, FTPCHS is committed to academic excellence and the integration of faith-based values, moral development, and community service.

History was made on August 19, 2026 in Wilmington when the first Diocesean Catholic high school in Wilmington opened in the Tileston Building.

The first day of the new Fr. Thomas Price Catholic High School started on August 19, around 7:45 with the arrival of our first student. The students then prepared for 8:30 Mass by reviewing the readings for the day. A small contingent of committee members parents, donors and other members of Team Fr. Price also attended Mass and joined us for a small reception after Mass.

Fr. Drew Navarro was the celebrant at Mass and welcomed our students as the first class of Fr. Thomas Price Catholic High school. He closed the Mass by informing the congregation that the first day of school was also the birthday of Fr. Price.

In a remarkable moment Deacon Walsh showed us the handwritten baptismal record of Fr. Thomas Price. It was in the baptismal record book open to the page of Fr. Price's baptism on August 26, 1860, at the old St. Thomas Church.

The rest of the day or students spent time meeting each of their teachers and touring the building. The first full day of classes was August 20.

Thanks to all who are members of Team Fr. Price High School and those who made this school a reality. Truly history in the making.

Now we begin preparing for next year, and would love to speak to your family about making Fr. Price High School your school home for the next four years.

I encourage you and your student to become the final piece in the puzzle of the development of Fr. Thomas Price Catholic High School. You will help to develop our culture for future students and set the bar for academic excellence and service. I am proud of the outstanding faculty we have assembled to teach your child. I am honored to be the Founding Principal of the high school, and welcome the opportunity to become your child’s principal as you begin your high school journey.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have during this school year, or if you would like to have your child join us. dfleck@ftpchs.org

From the Principal’s Desk

The first phase of FTPCHS is located on the campus of the Basilica of St. Mary at 412 Ann Street in downtown Wilmington. Specifically, the high school classrooms are in a block on the first floor of the historic Tileston Building.

Who was Fr. Price?

The school's namesake, Father Thomas Frederick Price, was born on August 19, 1860, in Wilmington, North Carolina. As a youth, Price had close contact with the priests of the St. Thomas Parish in Wilmington, including Bishop James Gibbons, whom at the time was the newly appointed first Vicar Apostolic of North Carolina.

Fr. Price, together with Fr. Walsh, established the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America (popularly known as Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers). Price, along with other missioners, spent considerable time working in China, settling in Yeungkong on the South China Coast. Father Walsh chose the posthumous motto for Father Price’s life: “In caritate non ficta,” that is, “With unfeigned love,” taken from 2 Corinthians 6:6.

Our founding principal, Mr. Dennis Fleck, recently complied a more in-depth biography. Learn where Fr. Price’s orphanage was located and why that is important even today by clicking here.

Our Faculty

Our students are taught by benchmark faculty members who believe in, and actively participate in, the Catholic faith.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR FACULTY

Crest Symbology

Books Pattern

In the beginning, was the word. This pattern is made up of books to represent both the word of God and the academic excellence of this institution.
Chi-Rho

The Chi-Rho is one of the oldest symbols of Christ and his followers. This symbol is on Father Price’s tomb, and is used often by the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers.
Water Pattern

This pattern represents water for our home along the Cape Fear River and Atlantic coast, Fr. Price’s story of near drowning and subsequent devotion to the Blessed Mother, and the phrase “water of life” to symbolize spiritual nourishment.
FTP Monogram

The FTP monogram is a unique symbol for our school’s identity. The symbol is simple, classic and bold without lacking elegance. The typography style resemble Roman-era letters carved into bronze.
Motto from our Mission

Fides, Scientia, Servitium is Latin for faith, knowledge and service. You'll find this phrase in our school's Mission.
Motto from Fr. Price

“In caritate non ficta,” that is, “With unfeigned love,” is the posthumous motto for Fr. Price's life as chosen by Fr. Walsh.

FAQs

The first phase of the school is located on the Campus of the Basilica of St Mary at 412 Ann Street in downtown Wilmington. Specifically, the classrooms are in a block on the first floor of the historic Tileston Building.
The school is unabashedly Catholic with building blocks of faith, virtue, and Catholic social teaching. A significant opportunity exists for service at the Sr. Isaac Outreach Center which operates out of the lowest level of the Tileston building. Myriad service opportunities exist in the downtown and greater Wilmington area. A monitoring process will be implemented.
Yes. It is based upon demand, which will increase over time. We plan to begin our athletics program in 2027. A variety of sports may be considered, including cross country, JV volleyball and JV basketball. We have an excellent gymnasium on campus, and are pursuing arrangements with the city for the use of nearby athletic fields to accommodate outdoor sports such as soccer and lacrosse.
Yes, in the first few years, OS will fall under the umbrella of St Mary Catholic school. Additionally, discounts will be available for the trailblazers who enroll in Years One and Two. Applicants may apply for additionally financial support via FACTS Grants & Aid.
Yes, academic rigor is a hallmark of Catholic education. Fr. Price Catholic will be no different. STEM and the humanities will be emphasized. See our Academics page.
Yes, please visit our Academics page for an overview. Re-visit often as greater detail is forthcoming.