The School
Fr. Turcot established the parochial elementary school. The school opened in 1896 in a private home on May Pond Road.
In 1896, the parish purchased an old store building to use as a school. This was moved near the church.
Fr. Eugene Leblanc contracted with the Sisters of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Nicolet, Quebec to teach at the parochial school in 1907. Sister St. Benjamin arrived with three other nuns. School population was around 100 until 1917 when a fire destroyed the tub factory, forcing their employees to move elsewhere for work. The number of pupils plummented to 55.
As French was the native language of the teaching nuns, and often, the mother tongue of the students, teaching French was often a major part of the curicula. In 1945, more time was devoted to English, then dropped entirely. In 1987, the school again taught French.
The parish built a new school and convent in the 1950s. In 1960, there was a record 194 students.
In 1991, the Sisters of the Assumption withdrew from the school.
Enrollment in 1995, totaled 99.
In 1997, the diocese notified the school that it would cease subsidizing it and it would close its doors at the end of the school year. This was coincident with the withdrawal of the nuns that had taught there for ninety years. The congregation's support prevented this planned closing.
Peter Close became principal in 2004.
Tuition for Catholics is $1,350 to $2,000. In 2006, this was the lowest tuition for any Catholic school in New England.
In 2008, the school was accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
In 2010, authorized by the state to do so, the public Orleans Central Supervisory Union furnished an interventionist, part-time, at the school.
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Famous quotes containing the word school:
“I am both a public and a private school boy myself, having always changed schools just as the class in English in the new school was taking up Silas Marner, with the result that it was the only book in the English language that I knew until I was eighteen—but, boy, did I know Silas Marner!”
—Robert Benchley (1889–1945)
“Children in home-school conflict situations often receive a double message from their parents: “The school is the hope for your future, listen, be good and learn” and “the school is your enemy. . . .” Children who receive the “school is the enemy” message often go after the enemy—act up, undermine the teacher, undermine the school program, or otherwise exercise their veto power.”
—James P. Comer (20th century)