St. Augustine Academy (Lakewood, Ohio)

St. Augustine Academy was an all-female Catholic high school located in Lakewood, Ohio. The school closed in 2005.

History of the Building

From its very beginning, Saint Augustine Academy continued to change and adapt to the needs of the day. It was originally a novi­tiate high school when it opened in 1921 and was affiliated withthe Catholic University of America. The elementary school, grades one through six began in 1925. In 1926 grades 7—9 were added and thus began an all girls’ high school celebrating its first graduation in 1930.

The history of Saint Augustine Academy was influenced by changes in social, political and church life. A school reflects the society in which it finds itself. This was true in the past and is true in the present.

The first winds of change came in 1946 when the elementary school was discontinued and both buildings began to serve the growing high school population. Fifteen years later in 1961, there were 418 students enrolled in a school that could accommodate only 300.

In August 1961 the Diocesan school board suggested that the school be enlarged. Reverend Mother Roberta, CSA and her Council decided to accept the offer of the Cleveland Diocese to assist in financing an expansion program.

The two existing buildings were to be linked, the auditorium expanded and new educational needs addressed. Construction began in July 1962 and was completed in November 1963, although the main school wing was ready for use in August 1963. Six hundred and forty students were enrolled.

At this time in history, the first Catholic elected President of the United States was assassinated, it was a time of racial riots, burning of cities and assassinations of political and cultural figures. Russia, initiating the space age, launched Sputnik, revealing the inadequacy of science and math programs in schools in the United States. The Second Vatican Council began and change in the Church was around the corner with many windows opening as the door closed on the Church of the Council of Trent, the Baltimore Catechism and total control of the Church by the Clergy. This was also the time when the “Baby Boomers” were entering high school for the first time.

The new construction at Saint Augustine Academy provided special purpose rooms to address educational needs:

1. A four-unit science department consisting of a lecture room with a demonstration table, chemistry, biology, and physics laboratories, each with a storage room and an office for the department head.

2. A three—unit business department that included a typing room with 40 stations, an office practice room and a stenography classroom.

3. A two-unit home economics department with a foods and clothing lab and large storage room.

4. A single unit art department.

5. A two-unit music department with orchestra and choral room and four individual practice rooms and two large storage rooms.

6. A dramatic arts room adjacent to the stage with an attached prop room.

7. A gym locker room with 12 individual showers and 1,000 small gym lockers.

8. A language lab with 36 stations was built in a room that was the chapel in the original building.

9. A 9-room administration unit which included the following: a faculty room for a priest, a student clinic, a two room guidance department, a large general office for the principal, assistant principal, and treasurer.

10. A modern chapel that could seat 72.

11. A gym that could seat 784.

12. A cafeteria that could accommodate 500 and a large modern kitchen.

13. A library (formerly the cafeteria> that could seat 101.

14. Graduated Hayley Jay Fix

Saint Augustine Academy was ready to serve a new population of students who would continue in the tradition of “In Omnibus Caritas” (In all things charity). Addressing the new and pressing social and religious issues of the day while educating the future teachers, nurses and social workers became the focus of education.

The winds of change began to blow once again in 1969. In January 1969 Major Superiors of Religious Orders received notice from Monsignor McHale that high schools should be self-sustaining as the Diocese was is no position to give financial assistance. The Council of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine discussed the problem of trying to staff Saint Augustine Academy in September since it was quite probable that the community would lose several sisters who taught there during the past year. With approval from the Council, Sr. Karen, the Order’s Major Superior at the time, discussed the situation with the Bishop. She suggested the possibility of the Diocese taking over the operation of the Academy with the Sisters of Charity continuing to help staff the school. The dialogue continued for almost five years. On October 30, 1974, Bishop Hickey informed Sr. Patricia Barrett that the Diocese of Cleveland was unable to sup­port a Diocesan high school at Saint Augustine Academy. lie added that the Diocese was not in a position to offer assistance to any religious community that might wish to accept sponsorship of the school. lie expressed deep concern for the situation and hoped that the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine would be able to locate a religious community to continue the work in secondary education at Saint Augustine Academy. The history of this transition will be reported in the next issue.Despite the numerous changes that took place between 1926 and 1969 North Central accreditation was always maintained. Women of strength and character can be found serving Church and society throughout the world. Wonderful friendships and memories are still maintained.

References

Sr. Patricia Lenard, CSFN St. Augustine Academy Highlights 2002

External links

* [http://www.staugustineacademyalumni.com St Augustine Academy Alumni]