History

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) encouraged the establishment of Catholic schools. Subsequently, 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. Between 1900 to 1930, Catholic elementary schools increased to 124 schools in Philadelphia and 78 schools in the four suburban counties. Between 1945 to 1965, 62 new Catholic elementary schools were established.

Leadership within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia envisioned a continued comprehensive 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. Between 1916-1927 West Catholic Boys and Girls and Northeast Catholic were opened. Despite the economic hardships of the 1930's and 1940's, seven more diocesan high schools were founded. During a twenty-two year growth period from 1945-1967, fifteen high schools were opened. In 1998 Bishop Shanahan was relocated from West Chester to a new diocesan building in Downingtown. Currently there are twenty diocesan high schools in the five-county area of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

With the foundation of Archbishop Ryan School for Children with Deafness in 1912, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia embarked on a proud history of serving families of children with special needs. In 1951, John Cardinal O'Hara responded to the requests of hundreds of parents who sought education, and particularly education in the faith, for their children with mental retardation. As a result, St. Katherine Day School and Our Lady of Confidence School were opened in 1953 and 1954 respectively, and again in response to parent petition, St. Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairment was founded in 1955. Queen of the Universe Day Center was added in 1980 to serve students with mental retardation in Bucks County. These five schools of special education have been generously supported by the Catholic Charities Appeal. In 1989, the Office of Catholic Education established the first regional resource room programs for students with learning disabilities in two parish schools. The program has expanded to two programs in three diocesan secondary schools.

We have always strived to maintain the highest standards so as to be able to offer each generation of students the most up-to-date and state of the art educational experience. The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are now comprised of 182 elementary schools, 20 secondary, or high schools, and 5 schools of special education. Standardized test scores, graduation rates, attendance rates, and college matriculation rates indicate that our schools produce outstanding academic outcomes. Simultaneously, extremely positive religious outcomes are recognized as well. Our research indicates that a very high percentage of our students have integrated into their lives the highest spiritual, ethical, and personal values of the Catholic Faith.

Our Catholic schools foster the development of the whole person in a values-based atmosphere. While rooted in the teachings of Jesus, our schools inform and guide the students spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically. Our schools create a supportive atmosphere which affirms the dignity of all persons within the school community. The faculty and staff of our schools are committed to serving the young people while helping them to integrate the Catholic Faith into their daily living experiences. Our teachers address the unique needs of each student and seek to develop not only the students' academic skills, but their moral and leadership skills as well. Our schools integrate a comprehensive academic curriculum with strong religious teaching and moral values and endeavor to help each student become a faith-filled, responsible and productive member of the Church and of society. Our Catholic schools offer the technology of today with values of life so that our young people will grow up to be faithful Catholics, loving family members, and responsible adults who stand ready to be leaders of their communities and of the world.