Saint Catherine College

Chronology

The first record of Jesuits passing through Santa Catarina was in 1553, two years before their founder's death. But it wasn't until 1751 that the Society of Jesus established a school for settlers from the Azores, in the post office building. It had an enrollment of 50 students in 1759, when it had to close due to the suppression of the Jesuits in Portugal.

After the restoration of the Society of Jesus, Jesuits returned and reopened a school on the Island on 25 September 1845, with an opening class of 30 students. After three years at the Provincial house they received their own building at Getulio Vargas Square, including boarding facilities. In 1854 over half the Jesuits fell victim to yellow fever and the school was closed until 1865 when it reopened under the name College of the Holy Savior, with 110 students.

When the Conservative party took over from the Liberal Party in 1871, they withdrew government support from the Jesuits and the College. It was not until 1905 that the College reopened under the name of Saint Catherine Gymnasium. This received support from President Vidal Ramos of the state of Santa Catarina and from the Antônio Vieira Society. Classes resumed in 1906. In 1915 the gymnasium was officially granted status as a college and was named Colegio Catarinense by presidential decree in January 1943. Since 1948 the school has had a very active alumni club. From its founding until 1963 the College had a boarding facility for students from other cities. In 1970 the College began to admit girls. In 1972 Saint Catherine College was integrated into the State System of Education.

Since 1998 the College offers full high school scholarships to needy students in Florianópolis, with a night school program that has grown to accommodate 422 students. Between 1999 and 2000 classes were extended to include kindergarten through grade four. From 2006 elementary school was extended to nine years, in accord with federal law.

The College created the Integral Shift in 2014, serving initially 27 3rd graders and in 2015 an additional 19 5th graders, filling out the school day with activities. For the older students it has a scientific initiation project in conjunction with College Maximiliano Gaidzinski of Cocal do Sul. The College also offers immersion activities at Pinheiral and Lagoa do Peri. The spacious and centrally located facilities of the College favor its use for events like a soccer clinic given by the Real Madrid Foundation.

The Santa Catarina State Legislature honored the College on the occasion of its 110th anniversary, for use of Ignatian pedagogy and recognized it as "committed to sociability, sustainability, and peace."

Magis project

The project "Magis" adds numerous complementary activities to the school curriculum, offering a socializing training through sports, art, culture, and pastoral experiences. Since students are in class for a half day the other half day is spent in these complementary activities. About 800 students take advantage of the Magis program.