History

                                            St. Catherine of Siena once said, “If you are what you should be, you will set the world ablaze.” The history of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School is a brief, yet full, tale of the life of a young community as it becomes “what it should be,” and strives to “set its world ablaze,” with the love of Christ.

In the fall of 2002, at the request of Archbishop John Francis Donoghue, Father James Harrison, pastor, and the parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Parish opened the doors of the existing Our Lady of Grace parish center to 77 students in grades K-3, embarking on the mission of Catholic education. The intent was for the school to add one grade level each successive year until it reached 8th grade, graduating its first students in the spring of 2008.

Under the leadership of Father Harrison and Robyn Planchard, principal, solid foundations were laid and the school continued to grow over the next two years. As it became evident that the little school would flourish in north-west Atlanta, the parish community began to form plans for a new education facility to house the expanding elementary school and parish school of religion.

Also, during this time, Archbishop Donoghue was in contact with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, requesting their presence within the Archdiocese of Atlanta at one of the area schools. In the fall of 2004, the Dominican Sisters were able to accept the Archbishop’s request, and Robyn Planchard having retired, three sisters were sent to administer and teach at St. Catherine of Siena.

With the welcome addition of the sisters, the school has continued to thrive. At the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year, the parish was able to open the doors of the new educational facility. The new facility was built to accommodate the full academic program of the future K-8 school with a projected enrollment of approximately 450 students. 

Every member of our faculty holds a Bachelors or higher degree and teaching certification.  Approximately 40% of our faculty and staff posseses an advanced degree.

In spring of 2009 St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) giving the school dual accreditation by both SACS and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

Landmark Dates:
2002 School Established
2004 Official groundbreaking for new educational facility
2004 Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia assume administration of SCS
2005 New school facility is completed
2005 School accredited by SAIS
2008 SCS graduates first class of 8th grade students
2009 School accredited by SACS