St. Paul's School (Covington, Louisiana)

History

In 1904, a group of residents of the Covington area banded together to fund the building of a new public school. After acquiring a tract of land and building a one-story, 2 bedroom building, the school, called Dixon Academy, opened in 1907. The school failed to attract enough students to remain viable.

In 1911, the school property was sold to the Benedictines of nearby Saint Joseph Abbey. The school was renamed St. Paul's, and reopened in September, 1911, with only 48 students. However, its reputation for academic excellence spread quickly, and by the end of the first session, enrollment numbered 70 boarders and 30 day students.

Meanwhile, nineteen French Christian Brothers had emigrated to Louisiana from France and Mexico, having been exiled for political reasons. After purchasing the school from the Benedictines, the brothers devoted themselves to the school, "not only teaching and guiding their students, but also staffing the school as carpenters, painters, plumbers, electricians, and yardmen.".

Although St. Paul's originally taught students only at high school level, it grew to encompass middle and elementary levels; this continued into the 1950s. However, by the 1960s there were enough other schools in the area to allow St. Paul's to begin to eliminate the younger grades, with the intention of focusing on a college preparatory curriculum. By the late 1970s, the school had a six-year program, 7th-12th grades. The 1981-82 year was the final session with a 7th grade class, and the school continues a five-year program to this day.

The original Dixon Academy building (known as Dixon Hall on campus) had long been supplanted by other buildings, but remained standing and used for storage. In November 1981, during Thanksgiving break, the building burned to the ground; a forensic investigation determined old electrical wiring to be the cause. Using bricks from the original structure, a patio/garden area was created on the site, and dubbed "Founders' Circle".

The last of the original 19 brothers, Bro. Charles Crouzet, remained living on campus, although retired from teaching, until his death in 1985. A statue of Jesus was erected in Founders' Circle and dedicated to Bro. Charles in honor of his faithful devotion to the school and God.

As a boarding school, St. Paul's was able to accommodate students from a wide geographic area; over the years, students from Central and South America, France, Greece, Russia, Korea, and Japan attended. However, due to a general decline in boarders, the increasing expense of housing residents, and the prospect of overhauling a dormitory which was in disrepair, St. Paul's converted to an all day-student program beginning with the 2003-2004 school year.

As of the 2008-2009 school year, St. Paul's boasted attendance of over 800, the largest in its history.

In 2011, St. Paul's celebrated its centennial birthday with a yearlong series of parades, reunions, and other events.

The Lasalle Hall dormitory was originally built as a two-wing building in 1964, with a third central wing added in 1970. In 2010-2011, the center wing (which had deteriorated beyond repair) was removed, and the remaining space underwent a full renovation and conversion into classroom space as the new Math and Science building. The building also houses the Air Force JROTC rooms and the Mothers' Club bookstore. In the central courtyard, a set of pillars was added with plaques for each of the Lasallian Core Principles. The first day of classes in the renovated space was January 9, 2012.

Spiritual Life

As a Lasallian school, St. Paul's is committed to the educational philosophy of Jean-Baptiste de la Salle. The school's website states that this means teachers "...are called to touch hearts by the power of God's Spirit...to build on the affection that the children have....to draw them to God who loves them." The Office of Campus Ministry is charged with ensuring that this vision is expressed in the lives of students and faculty at St. Paul's school.

Retreats and Prayer

Students in every year group participate in a retreat suited to their level, with the seniors taking part in a 3-day retreat. Throughout the school year, the St. Paul's community comes together for the celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) during which students proclaim the Scriptures and help distribute Holy Communion. All classes begin with prayer or reflection, using the following invocation:
Leader: Let us remember...that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
Response: I will continue...O my God, to do all my actions for the love of you.
Leader: St. Paul our Patron...
Response: Pray for us!
Leader: St. John Baptist de La Salle...
Response: Pray for us!
Leader: St. Benilde...
Response: Help us to do ordinary things extraordinarily well!
Leader: St. Brother Solomon...
Response: Help us remain faithful!
Leader: Live Jesus in our hearts...
Response: Forever!

Community Service

Embracing the Catholic Church's preferential option for the poor and acting on the Lasallian Core Principle of "Concern for the Poor and Social Justice", students at St. Paul's are required to complete a minimum of 10 service hours each academic year; chores, service or work done for family members do not count towards fulfilling this requirement. Many students choose to volunteer at nursing homes, food banks, or other similar charity organizations.

Activities and Clubs

Athletics

The first state title in school history was won in 1991 by the tennis team. Below is a list of the sports programs the school offers.

Buildings

Associated Schools

St. Scholastica Academy (Sister school)

Notable alumni