Saint Bernard's High School (Saint Paul, Minnesota)

Saint Bernard's High School

The former Saint Bernard's High School with the Church of Saint Bernard in the background
Address
170 West Rose Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota, (Ramsey County), 55117
United States
Coordinates 44°58′34″N 93°6′26″W / 44.97611°N 93.10722°WCoordinates: 44°58′34″N 93°6′26″W / 44.97611°N 93.10722°W
Information
Type Private, Coeducational
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established 1957
Closed June 2010
President Jennifer Cassidy
Principal Jennifer Cassidy
Asst. Principal Kathy Jackson
Sue Francis
Pastor Rev. Michael Anderson
Grades 912
Color(s) Royal Blue and Gold         
Slogan In All Things, May God Be Glorified
Fight song Bulldog Fight Song
Athletics conference Tri-Metro Conference
Mascot Spike The Bulldog
Team name Bulldogs
Newspaper Bulldog Beat
Yearbook Memorare
Academic Dean Ted Simons
Dean of Students Tom Flood
Athletic Director Jon Medlo
Website www.saintbernards-school.org

Saint Bernard's High School was a private, Roman Catholic high school in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. The High School, along with an elementary school that served pre-kindergarten to eighth grade, also closed, were both part of the Church of Saint Bernard, which is adjacent to the former school building (now used to house the Community School of Excellence). The Parish and Grade School were founded in 1891, with the high school being opened in 1957.

Location

Saint Bernard's School was located in the North End neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota, near the intersection of Rice Street and Maryland Avenue, north of the state capitol. Being a non-public school, Saint Bernard's was part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

History

Saint Bernard's Parish and Saint Bernard's grade school were both founded in 1891. At that time, the school was run by three benedictine sisters, and students would sit on the kneelers in the church and use the pews as desks. At its peak, Saint Bernard's grade school was the largest catholic grade school west of Chicago. The original school building was built shortly after the school's founding, and in 1905 the current church building was built. In 1957, demand for a secondary school was answered with the addition of a high school. In 1959 the former high school building, adjacent to the original school building (both of which are still standing), used by the grade school until 2009, as well as the church, was constructed.
Unfortunately, due to the economic recession and a decline in the number of students, the grade school was closed after the 2008-2009 school year. Throughout the halls of the high school, class pictures from most graduating classes from the high school's founding to the current day hang above lockers and doorways. There are also several old pictures hanging in the conference room, as well as the school entrance.

On Thursday, February 18, 2010, it was announced that Saint Bernard's High School would close its doors at the end of that school year. Despite a strong campaign to raise enough money, which did succeed in raising pledges, the Pastor determined it would be better for the parish to allow a charter school to move into the space. It sadly affected a very dedicated staff as they had to find new jobs and the remaining 130 students as they had to find a new place to complete their high school education.

Slogans

The school/parish have a few slogans. They are:

-That in all things God may be glorified
-Founded in Faith, Rooted in Tradition, Growing in Excellence
-Saints, Scholars, Ladies and Gentleman

Notes and references