| Holy Spirit Catholic School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 601 James I. Harrison Jr. Pkwy East Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35405 United States |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Private, Coeducational |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Color(s) | Red, Black and White |
| Accreditation(s) | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools[1] |
| Website | www.holyspirit-al.com |
Holy Spirit Catholic School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It is located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Birmingham.
Holy Spirit School was originally called St. John's. In keeping with America’s tradition of providing both public and religious education for its citizens, Holy Spirit Catholic Regional School was established to serve the needs of the Tuscaloosa Catholic community. Catholic education in Tuscaloosa has been continuous since 1863. In that year, classes were held in rooms adjoining the church. The pastor who supported this endeavor was Father T.J.M. Murphy. In 1865, the classes were conducted by Mrs. Temple in a building on the corner of the intersection of 12th Street and 25th Avenue. The first parochial school was built on the corner of the intersection of Twelfth Street and Twenty-fifth Avenue. In 1866 the Ursuline Nuns from South Carolina staffed a school on the south side of Tenth Street and Fifteenth Avenue. That school was discontinued in 1880, but classes later resumed in 1888, and were conducted in rooms adjoining the church.
In 1918 Fr. Thomas A. Lenahan’s chief interest was the advancement of Catholic education and welfare work. He was responsible for the building of St. John’s School directly across from the Church. St. John’s school opened in 1920. The missionary Sisters of the Holy Trinity ran the school from 1925 to 1931. In 1931, the Benedictine Sisters of Cullman took over. St. John’s High School closed in 1949 due to limited enrollment, but the elementary school remained at that location until 1962 when under the direction of Fr. J. J. Cassidy the school moved to its present location on 37th Street. Archbishop Toolen dedicated the present elementary section on January 27, 1963.
The original school housed grades 1-8 in four classrooms and was staffed by the Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, Alabama. In 1969 under the direction of Sister Bernadette Sachs, O.S.B., four classrooms were added to the building. In 1978 a fund raising drive was started to finance the construction of an addition to the school building. In 1979 under the direction of Fr. Michael White, additional classrooms, a gymnasium, and cafeteria were added. A kindergarten class was added that same year and space was secured for future growth.
In 1979 under the leadership of Mrs. Judy Halli, principal, the first Ninth grade class graduated. Unfortunately, five years later the Ninth grade was discontinued due to restructuring of the public school systems in the surrounding area.
In 1986 under the direction of Fr. John Fallon funds were secured to house a Preschool and a parish hall. The Preschool opened in 1987. Since then it has expanded to two grades of 3 year olds and two grades of 4 year olds. A staff of more than 12 members instructs and nurtures the children. Besides the classroom teacher, a music and Spanish teacher meet weekly with the students. Students have access to the Elementary School library, gym and lunchroom for special events and occasions. There have been many changes and advances in the past few years and thoughts of expanding have surfaced many times. In 1995, new surveillance cameras and remote control doors were added to advance security for the students. New doors were added last year presenting a more inviting atmosphere. There is an annual evaluation of the program.
In 1994 under the leadership of Mrs. Ana MacCrone, principal, and Fr. John Fallon, pastor, Holy Spirit School was thriving with two classes of every grade and all filled to capacity. A group of parents formed a committee to research the possibility of establishing a Catholic high school in Tuscaloosa once again. After receiving the necessary approval from diocesan authorities and the local church community, the construction (in three phases) of a new building to house middle school (Seventh and Eighth grades) and high school classes, a gym, library, computer lab and cafeteria began.
In 1995, the new high school class opened under the direction of Mr. Michael Burke, principal. The first semester of that year the Ninth grade occupied the area where the present kindergarten is located today. In January 1996, the new building was ready and was dedicated by Rev. Bishop David Foley. The first graduation for Holy Spirit Catholic Regional High School was held in May 1999.
In 1997, the Seventh and Eighth grades were moved to the newly constructed section of the High School building. In 2002, Fr. Jerry Deasy hired Sister Tonette Sperando, O.S.B., as the first President of Holy Spirit Catholic Regional School campus. Holy Spirit continues to thrive and "Soar in One Spirit".