Saint Agnes School

Quality Catholic Education for Grades K to 8

History

1888
In 1888 the Reverend Thomas H. Shahan, pastor of Saint Agnes Parish, opened a school for girls in a small gray house on Chestnut Street.  The school began under the leadership of the Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, who were recalled in 1892.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph assumed the staffing and administration of the school in 1892 at the invitation of the new pastor, Reverend John M. Mulcahy.  The school year began with six Sisters and an enrollment of one hundred and thirty girls.  Later boys were admitted and the enrollment increased so rapidly that expansion became necessary.  

1920's - 1940's
In the early 1920’s construction of a new building began.  It contained sixteen spacious classrooms and a large Assembly Hall in the basement.  In 1923 a Junior High School program was introduced under the leadership of Reverend Matthew J. Flaherty.  In 1943, with an enrollment of over one thousand students, further growth was demanded.   A third floor with eight additional classrooms was added to the school.

1950's - 1960's
Saint Agnes School flourished during the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Not only was it one of the largest schools in the Archdiocese, it had an enviable record which indicated that educational goals and ideals had been attained.  Merits, awards and scholarships were acquired by Saint Agnes School pupils.  The Sisters of St. Joseph, along with Monsignor Oscar O’Gorman, worked very hard to see that the quality of education and Catholic values were the hallmark of their parish school.  Certainly, the many alumni can attest to that fact.

Present
Catholic education has seen many changes in the last four decades.  The declining number of Women Religious, the rising financial needs and the closing of so many fine schools has altered drastically the face of the Catholic educational system.  And yet Saint Agnes School remains strong. 

In addition to our commitment to Catholic values, we continually update our curriculum, purchasing new series of books on a regular basis.  We have a state of the art computer lab with 25 new Windows XP computers, in addition to computers in every classroom.  We have art, science and music classrooms, a fully equipped library and media center, a lunch room with cafeteria service and access to a full sized gym.  We have many opportunities for our students to develop special talents, grow leadership skills and demonstrate academic success.  Some examples include:  Student Council, school band, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Service Projects, Boys and Girls Middle School Basketball teams, Quiz Bowl, as well as school Liturgies, daily prayer and sacrament preparation.  Saint Agnes School offers an environment filled with intellectual challenges as well as varied opportunities for physical, artistic and social development.