Padua Academy

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Padua Academy is an all-girls Catholic high school in Wilmington, Delaware. It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. It is a four-time winner of the “Superstars in Education” Award from the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. ^[1]

[edit] Background

The high school was founded in 1954 by Rev. Joseph L. McCoy, O.S.F.S. and built with the help of members of the St. Anthony of Padua Parish. Its patron saints are St. Francis of Assisi and St. Francis de Sales and the teachings of both saints are emphasized as well as the values of spirituality, scholarship, service, and sisterhood. The first classes of Padua Academy (in the late 1950s) took place in the upper level of Saint Anthony of Padua Grade School, located at 9th and North Scott Streets, two blocks away from the present building. Classes also took place in the old P.S. #11 school building in the early years. The building, built in the 1870s, was condemned in the 1990s and was demolished to make way for a bigger parking lot for church-goers in March of 2006.

The present building at 10th and Broom Streets was designed and executed by Rev. Roberto Balducelli, O.S.F.S., who came to the United States from Italy in the 1940s. The school was built by volunteer labor with the help of Brother Michael Rosenello, O.S.F.S., who still helps with the daily operation of the school. Both Brother Michael and Father Roberto (or "Father Robert") are still in residence at Saint Anthony of Padua Rectory located next to the Italian-immigrant built church at 901 N. du Pont Street, two blocks away from the present Padua Academy building.

Padua, as it is usually called, has an enrollment of over 600 girls and is within walking distance of its male counter-part Salesianum, the other girls' high school, Ursuline Academy, and another Catholic High School, St. Elizabeth's. Often, students from each of these schools can be found after school on each other's campuses for various activities and sports events. The school strongly emphasizes academics with a strict disciplinarian code. Padua currently sends students to Salesianum and Ursuline Academy first period for band, chorus, and other classes that cannot be found at Padua and in turn receives students from Salesianum for classes that are not offered at that school.