School type High school Founded 1984 School number 4284 Number of students 706 (September 2014) | Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic Superintendent Kathleen Furlong Phone +1 519-675-4435 Mascot Maximus the Warrior | |
Motto Christo Unitas
("One In Christ") Address 431 Juliana Drive, Woodstock, ON N4V 0B6, Canada District London District Catholic School Board Similar Huron Park Secondary School, St Mary's High School, St Michael Catholic Secondar, John Paul II Catholic Secondar, Stratford Northwes School | ||
St. Mary's Catholic High School is a Roman Catholic high school in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada.
History
The origin of St. Mary’s Catholic School began as a dream of ten Catholic families who formed the members of the St. Mary's Separate School Board in 1900. By 1901, the first stage of a two-classroom elementary school was built. Remodelling was done in 1913 to provide for two more classrooms to accommodate the growing enrolment of 113 students. However, by 1953 enrolment had grown to 162, and the first formal two-room addition was added in 1956. Two more rooms were added in 1958. In 1962, enrolment had grown to an overwhelming 317 and the purchase of portable classrooms became the norm.
Expanding Catholic education into the early years of secondary school was realized in 1981. St. Mary's Junior High School was founded and students were given the opportunity of continuing with Catholic education up to the end of Grade 10. With the passage of Bill 30 in 1984, full funding for Catholic education allowed for the extension of the junior high concept and St. Mary's Catholic High School was now a reality. The students entering Grade 9 in the 1984-85 school year began the pioneering work of becoming the first graduating class. In the fall of 1987, the first St. Mary's Catholic High School graduation was held with Bishop Sherlock presiding. The original graduating class consisted of 12 students who braved the new world of Catholic High School education and survived. By 1988, St. Mary’s Catholic High School was now a full-fledged secondary school offering courses from Grade 9 through to OAC.
Another dream was realized in 1997. St. Mary's Catholic High School enrolment of 500 plus had outgrown the school building on Oxford Street, and the school moved to a new facility located on Juliana Drive. The momentous opening was officiated by Bishop Sherlock. Within one year of moving, the population had grown to 800 and a twelve classroom addition was built. In 1999 a six-room port-a-pack was added. Four more portables were needed in 2001. The school's continued growth has necessitated another addition of science labs, technology rooms and specialty rooms by a future capital project.