St. Andrew Catholic School (Newtown, PA)
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St. Andrew Catholic Education Center is a parochial school in Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It is a K-8, coeducational school within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
[edit] History
St. Andrew's was founded in 1927, to be built on Sycamore Street in Newtown. It was originally staffed by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
In 1993, the student body became so large that pastor Fr. Michael Picard announced that he had agreed to terms to construct a new site for St. Andrew School. The new building was to be erected on Wrights Road in Newtown. The old school soon became the home of St. Andrew Preschool, where it would remain until 2006.
Originally, the new school was designed to hold roughly 750 students; in a few years, however, that number needed to be increased. During the years 1998-2000, the area of the grounds was increased by about 12,000 square feet in order to accommodate the entire student body and staff. Two years later, in 2002, major renovations were made to the entrance to St. Andrew's.
In 2001 it was announced that the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary would be leaving St. Andrew's. The 2001-2002 school year was their last year in service at the school after 75 years. In 2003, Mrs. Nancy Matteo took over duties as school principal.
In 2005, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia sold the preschool building, putting up the need for a new preschool. It was later decided that the preschool would be merging into one building with the rest of the K-8 students. In the next year, minor changes were made around the school to make this possible.
St. Andrew's currently consists of four floors; three floors for classrooms, and one attic for boilers and storage. The cafeteria is on the first floor, and the gymnasium is located on the second floor.
[edit] Special Events
In 2006, Cardinal Rigali gave pastor Fr. Michael Picard permission to carry the Blessed Sacrament throughout the hallways of the school; this was the same day that a new chapel was to be dedicated to the Holy Family.
