Mary Star of the Sea Church in San Pedro has received final approval archdiocese official to begin construction on a new state-of-the-art high school which will replace the current Mary Star of the Sea High School.

The parish expects to the groundbreaking to take place in August after the completion of the construction documents, noted Msgr. Patrick Gallagher, pastor of Mary Star of the Sea.

The Knights of Columbus have approved an $8 million loan to fund the construction of the school, which is expected to take 12 months to complete.

"Our benefactors continue to show support for our project as pledge monies continue to be collected and all the foundations that have given our most significant grants, The W.M. Keck Foundation, the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation and the Weingart Foundation, continue to support our project," said Msgr. Gallagher. "This much needed project will offer both the future students of Mary Star and our community bigger and better opportunities."