The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix plans to break ground on a new high school Friday in Avondale.

St. John Paul II High School will be the first Catholic high school in the far West Valley, when it opens in 2018.

Enrollment has jumped at a pair of nearby parochial schools, and the region’s booming growth spurred their decision to build a new high school, according to the Diocese.

Officials previously said St. John Paul II will have 600 students, but could expand to 1,000.

The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia will run the school, which is expected to cost $23 million.