Our Lady of Fatima High School

History

FATIMA in Warren, Rhode Island, was founded by the Sisters of St. Dorothy in 1965 for the purpose of educating young women and providing them with an environment in which to strengthen their Christian values according to the spirit and the pedagogy of St. Paula Frassinetti, foundress of the Sisters of St. Dorothy.

Sister Virginia Bento and the members of her Council looked over various sites in the Bristol County area before the decision was made to build in Warren. At the time, there was a great need for a girls' high school in this area. As a Catholic Institution, FATIMA would provide a solid academic foundation for its students in preparation for college, help them to strengthen their faith and to become Christian leaders in society and within their families. When FATIMA opened its doors to the first fifty-five students on September 8, 1965, the school building consisted of the classrooms, the library, the science and art laboratories and a double room to be used for several purposes. One of the classrooms was converted into a Chapel. The school also served as housing for the Sisters who were members of the staff. The gymnasium and cafeteria were completed in 1969, in time for the first Graduation ceremonies, and the convent was ready for occupancy in 1977. As a private institution, owned and operated by the Sisters of St. Dorothy, all funding for the school was provided by the Sisters. The Principals have been: Sisters J. Sousa, Isabel Borg-Cardona, Mary Ann Campanelli, Lillian Cravinho, Eileen Egan and Mary Margaret Souza. As the needs of society and of the students changed, so did the curriculum. Courses were added and others were deleted in view of the appropriate preparation for higher learning. The computer lab was modernized, a full-time computer teacher was hired, and more computers were purchased, in order to give all students the opportunity to become proficient in their use.

By this time the school population included girls in Grades 7 and 8. In 1985, the 20th Anniversary of the foundation of the school, and the year that the Foundress of the Sisters of St. Dorothy was canonized, FATIMA became co-educational under the leadership of Sr. Lillian Cravinho. This decision was made primarily because of the declining enrollment. At this time, Mr. Joseph Sousa was hired as assistant principal.

When the school opened in 1965, the faculty consisted only of religious Sisters. After a brief period of time a layman was hired to teach Social Studies and Physical Education.

The school closed in 2012. Highlander Charter School moved into the building in 2014.