In 2025, as Holy Cross High opened its doors in Dover, an anonymous benefactor transferred $1 million to the fledgling Catholic school. Exactly one year later, on the first day of the 2026‑27 academic year, the same donor pledged another $2 million, bringing the total to $3 million. The gifts arrived at pivotal moments, anchoring the school’s financial base as it expanded its student body and programs.
Holy Cross, founded to fill a void left by St. Thomas More Academy’s 2020 closure, began with 35 freshmen and a handful of sophomores. Its independent status means tuition, private giving and fundraising fund its operations, making the donor’s contributions vital for sustaining growth. Students like 15‑year‑old Maya Patel, a freshman from Kent County, say the school’s rapid rise has given them a new academic home.
The $2 million infusion supports the Founders Campaign that will transform a 100‑acre parcel in Frederica into a permanent campus. Plans call for a 90,600‑sq‑ft main building, a chapel, technology and medical‑science centers, a theatre, gyms, and a broadcast studio. Construction is slated to start in 2027, with an opening targeted for autumn 2028.
Board chair Brian Lessard said the angel’s support has also spurred additional donors, noting, “Their generosity has encouraged others to contribute to our long‑term vision.” The school now seeks to secure the remaining funding needed to bring the campus to life, with fundraising efforts expected to intensify in the coming months.