Holy Family Catholic School was opened on November 7, 1956 with seventy-five students in grades one through four taking classes in three frame portable buildings. Led by two Dominican Sisters from Michigan and one lay teacher, the school soon grew rapidly, adding grades five and six in 1957 and grades seven and eight in 1958. The first kindergarten class was enrolled in August 1977.This rapid growth paved the way for the construction of the existing two-story masonry building in 1961. As the needs of the students grew – so did the school and the facilities, including construction of the basketball court, a science room and a new addition to the main building (to support the physical education program, a library-media center and additional storage areas). Future renovations to the school allowed for the creation of a computer laboratory, an art room, and an expanded kindergarten classroom.
In order to increase parental involvement in school policy formulation and decision-making, a school board was formed in 1982. In 1985, the Moms’ and Dads’ Club was inaugurated to assist the school with community-building and fundraising. The Moms’ and Dads’ Club is presently known as the Home and School Association, and is actively involved in fundraising and school improvement projects.
In 1988, after thirty-one years of Dominican administration, a Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary assumed leadership of the school. Following seven years of dedicated service, that administrator retired from active ministry and a Sister of the Congregation of the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) took up the leadership of Holy Family Catholic School.
The 1990s were a period of dramatic internal development at Holy Family Catholic School:
- A Spanish program was added in grade eight in 1994. This program was soon expanded to include all grade levels.
- The school’s library/media center’s circulation was made accessible online in 1995. In 1997, students began regular use of the Internet, supported by a volunteer “Tech Team”, created to upgrade and maintain the school’s technological capabilities. Now Holy Family Catholic School has a documented Technology Plan, including Technology Benchmarks by grade to ensure Holy Family students have the skills they need to compete in today’s world.
- A Reading Partner program was developed to allow for interaction between the kindergarteners and students in the upper grades. Designed to strengthen the language skills of the kindergarten students, the program also gives the older students the ability opportunity to use the skills they have acquired over their years of education while forming meaningful relationships with the younger students.
- In 1994, algebra was introduced for those eighth grade students whose skills required advanced mathematics challenges.
- New ministries and activities were introduced to grow the spiritual and communal life of Holy Family Catholic School, such as Mime Ministry, Sign Language Ministry, Family Choir, the Student Mediator Program, and the publication of an annual school yearbook.
We continue to move forward in the area of technology. Family/school communication has moved from ‘paper’ to ‘paperless’. Teachers use their website to keep parents informed. The school website is kept up to date with information for parents as well as prospective families. Parents are able to access their child’s grades and other important information from the private side of the website.
The Early Childhood Program (PreK3 and VPK4) was incorporated into Holy Family Catholic School in February 2001. It now includes PreK2 with a staff of ten well trained skilled staff; it also offers an extended day program until 6PM. The Early Childhood program is committed to providing an accepting, secure, Christ-filled environment in which children are nurtured and can learn and grow. It is regulated by the Pinellas County Licensing Board and is also accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference. The Holy Family Early Childhood Center seeks to assist children in developing spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically in order that they may move with ease into the elementary environment and experience the greatest success.
The “big school” faculty and staff is comprised of the principal, thirteen lay teachers, a media specialist, a school counselor, a part-time art and Spanish teacher, a physical education teacher, a Technology/computer coordinator a part time assistant to the principal, teacher assistants, a school secretary and maintenance personnel. The lunch program is under the direction of Rainbow Catering. The extend school day program has its own director and five staff members. In addition, the school community has the benefit of the support and involvement of the parish priests and the permanent deacon, the director of religious education, the music director, and the youth minister.
As proud as we are of our past, we are even more excited about our future. The school and parish administration, with the support of the Home and School Association and School Advisory Commission, continually strive to improve the school curriculum, grounds and facilities. A long-range school improvement program is in place, with re-evaluations every five years. In 2009, Parish Capital Campaign fundraising efforts provided the school with the ability to replace the drafty, old windows in the entire school (including shades), along with A/C units in areas of the school, new sprinkler and alarm systems and a new stove hood that brought us up to the latest safety codes. Also, the school’s PA system was expanded to include the Early Childhood Center.
With the grace of God and the support of our parents, parish and community, Holy Family Catholic School will continue to fulfill our mission:
With Jesus, Mary and Joseph as our models, Holy Family Catholic School prepares students for roles in the church, home, civic and global communities by educating them in their Catholic Faith and in those skills necessary to foster academic excellence.