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Keeping Faith in Mind for
More Than 200 Years
The first Catholic school established in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was at St. Mary Parish in Philadelphia during the late eighteenth century. During the nineteenth century, Bishop Kenrick (1830-1851) and St. John Neumann (1851-1860) made the establishment of parish elementary schools a priority, and by 1860 there were seventeen parish elementary schools in Philadelphia.
Leadership within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia also envisioned a continued Catholic education for secondary students. In 1890, Roman Catholic High School was opened as the first high school for young men followed by the establishment in 1912 of John W. Hallahan High School for young women. During a 22-year growth period from 1945-1967, 15 Secondary Schools were opened.
In 1951, Cardinal John O’Hara responded to the requests of hundreds of parents who sought education, and particularly education in the faith, for their children with special needs. As a result, St. Katherine Day School and Our Lady of Confidence School were opened in 1953 and 1954, respectively. In 1989 the Office of Catholic Education established the first regional resource room programs for students with learning disabilities.
Today, the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia include 187 elementary schools, 20 secondary schools, and five schools of special education.
Since the beginning, we have striven to maintain the highest and most up-to-date standards academically, technologically, and beyond in order to foster the development of the whole person in a Gospel-Values-based atmosphere.
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His Eminence
Cardinal Justin Rigali, J.C.D.
Archbishop of Philadelphia |
