Three schools, one diocese
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston runs 24 Catholic schools across West Virginia, and three serve this area. Sacred Heart Grade School on Quarrier Street and Charleston Catholic High School on Virginia Street East sit near each other downtown, so many families move from one to the other. St. Francis of Assisi School on Holley Street serves St. Albans and the western suburbs. All three are accredited Exemption (B) schools on the state's nonpublic list and all three appear on the Hope participating-school list we checked in October 2026.
What Hope changes for families already enrolled
For years, a family that had chosen Catholic school from kindergarten could not use Hope, because the child had never been in public school. Universal eligibility in 2026-27 ended that. A family already paying tuition at Sacred Heart or St. Francis can apply now; this fall that means the 50% tier, $2,717.81, and next spring it means applying in the 2027-28 window that opens March 1, 2027.
Layering diocesan tuition assistance
The diocese's Tuition Assistance Program offers need-based grants of up to 50% of tuition, applied for through FACTS. Hope is not need-based, so a family can be eligible for Hope regardless of income and still apply for TAP. Ask the school's business office how it applies each source to the bill, and in what order, so you know the true balance.
Costs beyond tuition that Hope covers
Hope's qualifying list includes school uniforms required by a participating school and lunch fees at a participating school. At the high school level, it includes AP exam fees, college-entrance exam fees and dual-credit course costs. For a Charleston Catholic student, that can cover the extras that tuition aid does not.
Questions to ask a Catholic school office
Ask for the published maximum tuition and fee schedule the school filed with the Hope Board, the date it bills each semester against the quarterly deposits, whether it applies Hope before or after a TAP grant, and what happens to unearned tuition if a child withdraws. Participating schools must refund unearned tuition to the Hope account within 30 days.
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston schools in our directory (3)
| School | Type | Community | Grades | Hope list | Students* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Catholic High School 1033 Virginia St. E, Charleston 25301 | Catholic Schools | Charleston | 6-12 | On the list | 365 |
| Sacred Heart Grade School 1035 Quarrier St., Charleston 25301 | Catholic Schools | Charleston | PK-5 | On the list | 206 |
| St. Francis of Assisi 525 Holley St., St. Albans 25177 | Catholic Schools | St. Albans, Nitro & Cross Lanes | PK-5 | On the list | 111 |
* Enrollment reported to the NCES Private School Survey (2023-24 or 2021-22). "Hope list" means the school appears on the published Hope Scholarship participating-school list (Oct 2026).
Next step
Take the short funding check. A School Funding Advisor will confirm your Hope tier, the deposit dates that apply to you and any tuition help your school offers.
Common questions
Can a Sacred Heart Grade School family who never used public school get Hope in 2026-27?
Yes. Starting in 2026-27, the Hope Scholarship no longer requires public school attendance, so a family that has been at Sacred Heart Grade School since kindergarten can apply. Sacred Heart appears on the Hope Scholarship participating-school list we checked in October 2026. A family applying this fall falls in the 50% window and receives $2,717.81 for the rest of the year.
Does the Hope Scholarship pay for Catholic school uniforms in West Virginia?
Yes. The Hope Scholarship Parent Handbook lists school uniforms required by a participating school as a qualifying expense. A Charleston-area Catholic school family can buy required uniforms with Hope funds through the portal, as long as the school is a participating school and the vendor is approved. Lunch fees at a participating school are also on the Hope list.
Is Charleston Catholic High School on the Hope participating-school list?
Yes. Charleston Catholic High School, on Virginia Street East in Charleston, appears on the Hope Scholarship Board's participating-school list as of our October 2026 check, and on the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston's school list. Families should still confirm tuition, fees and billing dates with the Charleston Catholic office before planning Hope payments, since lists and fee schedules change each year.