With faith, a school was born
Before establishing our beloved school, the Sisters of St. Anne devoted themselves to providing convalescent care for children, particularly during the polio epidemic. They created a sanctuary of healing for children who could no longer be accommodated by hospitals. In recognition of their selfless service, the Junior League and the Church of the Ascension donated to them the land upon which our campuses now stand.
By 1946, as the polio epidemic subsided and the need for convalescent care waned, the Sisters turned their hearts towards education, following the example set by other convents in the Order. In the summer of 1950, Mother Noel, the head of the Order, tasked Sister Irene with starting a school, despite having no money to do so. Sister Irene's concern was met with Mother Noel's reassuring response: “With faith, Dearie, with faith.”
Retired teachers joined the Sisters in their mission to establish a school, working without pay to build a strong educational foundation. Each year, a new grade was added, and by the mid-1960s, the campus was filled with 80 children. In 1967, the leadership was formally entrusted to a Board of Directors.
As the school flourished, new buildings rose among familiar trees that the Sisters once tended. These additions included an elementary classroom building, a gymnasium, and a space for preschool and kindergarten, each thoughtfully placed near the Sisters' beautifully curated gardens.
St. Anne's has always embraced change, evolving thoughtfully throughout its history. With each step, the school remains rooted in its founding values and faith that meets change with courage and unified purpose.
Where are we headed?
This past year, we launched our strategic plan, Honoring Our Legacy, Cultivating Our Future. This plan is the result of the dedication and collaboration of so many within our community—parents, faculty, students, alumni, and trustees. Together, we’ve crafted a vision that celebrates the rich history of St. Anne’s while laying the foundation for an exciting future.
With the plan now in place, we are eager to begin the actionable steps that will bring this vision to life. I invite you to visit our microsite regularly, where we will provide ongoing updates and share new episodes of Charting Conversations: A St. Anne’s Journey of Perspectives, our video podcast that will explore each pillar of the plan in depth.
