During the pandemic, Turlock’s Elizabeth Costa, now a mother of six, enrolled three kids at Turlock’s Sacred Heart School.

Soon, she began to think about Catholic education after Sacred Heart, which only offers preschool through eighth-grade education.

Central Catholic in Modesto, of course, was an option.

“But I’m a busy mom and I really don’t have time to shuttle my kids back and forth to Modesto every day,” said Costa.

That’s when she started noticing a string of coincidences, although Costa believes it was something else.

“It was the Holy Spirit,” she said.

Costa, who had become intrigued with the Chesterton Schools Network, began encountering others who were just as intrigued by the academies. And soon, a movement was underway in Turlock to bring a Chesterton Academy here.

“This is the result of a lot of people coming together to make it happen,” said Costa, the chair of the academy’s board of directors.

Rev. Myron Cotta, Bishop of the Archdiocese of Stockton, gave his approval last fall for the Chesterton Academy of the Immaculate Conception to operate as an independent Catholic high school. Classes will begin in the fall of 2026 on the grounds of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 2602 S. Walnut Rd. in Turlock.

“Catholic education is integral in the formation of our children,” Costa said. “The more I learned about the Chesterton Schools Network model, the more I felt God putting on my heart the need for this school in our community.”

The Chesterton Academy features a classic curriculum, based around liberal arts, humanities and the Socratic teaching method.

Because the academy will function as an independent high school, it will not receive funding from the diocese. The need for fundraising is critical to the academy’s success. So far, according to Costa, the academy has reached about a quarter of its $435,000 goal.

The Chesterton Schools Network is the fastest-growing network of Catholic schools in the country, according to Costa. 

“By the time we open in 2026, we’ll be one of about 100 Chesterton schools nationally and internationally,” she said.

Named for the English writer G.K. Chesterton, a convert to Catholicism, the schools emphasize the development of Christian values. Its curriculum highlights three pillars — intellect, character, spirituality — of education. The school requires students to study Latin and attend Mass daily.

“Through the liberal arts, the humanities, and the Socratic method, our children will form their intellect, character and spirituality to become who God made them to be,” said Costa. “Joyful saints and future leaders.”

An informational meeting about the Chesterton Academy of the Immaculate Conception will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Our Lady of the Assumption parish hall.

For more information, visit ChestertonIC.org or email ChestertonTurlock@gmail.com.