Roman Catholic high schools in the Philadelphia area will soon be managed by a private foundation, an arrangement that appears to be the first of its kind in the country.

Archbishop Charles Chaput (SHAP'-yoo) announced Tuesday that the Faith in the Future Foundation will oversee 17 secondary and four special education schools starting Sept. 1.

Officials say they hope the move will create a sustainable model for Catholic education, which has been decimated by high costs and low enrollment.

The 21 schools are currently run by the archdiocese's education office. They will now comprise an independent school system with about 15,000 students and a $128 million budget.

The Philadelphia-based foundation was created in February to strengthen local Catholic high schools through fundraising and marketing.