Ascension - History

Updated October 2006 - Anita Brady

Ascension Catholic School welcomed its first students on September 1, 1961. Sister Monica Ryan, Sister Assumpta Finn, and Sister Immaculata Knox arrived from Ireland just three days prior to opening the six classes (K-5) to the 334 students. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade were added in three subsequent years.

Sister Monica was the school's first principal. Father Martin Power was Ascension Catholic Church's pastor at the time.

The five portable classrooms (currently the Activities Building) were added in 1963 to accomodate increasing enrollment.

In August, 1964, Sister Pius Fahy became Ascension's principal. The school's inaugural 8th grade graduation was held in 1965.

Sister Assumpta replaced Sister Pius as principal in 1969. In 1971, Sister Joseph Barden became principal and continued in that capacity until her retirement in the spring of 2000. Today she serves as the school's development director. After serving as the school's middle school coordinator and parish director of religious education Pauline Rowan took over the position of principal from the year 2000 through 2005. Ms. Angela Coombs took over as principal in the fall of 2006 and serves in that position today.

In February, 1973, Ascension received its initial accreditation from the Florida Catholic Conference.

A new wing was added in 1983 to allow expanded office space for the principal, Religious Education Director, secretary, bookkeeper, the library, and science laboratory. A Pre-Kindergarten program for four year olds was implemented during this year as well.

Ascension Catholic School was recognized by the United States Department of Education as a National School of Excellence in 1986. The School's program was commended for its overall school quality in respect to curriculum, practices, and policies.

In 1993-94, Ascension Catholic School began the year with a new 16 classroom facility, dedicated by Most Reverend Norbert M. Dorsey, the Bishop of Orlando. Four hundred twenty-six students were enrolled with over 600 Religious Education students. The original school building which was renovated to house 5th-8th grades and special instruction rooms (computer lab, art, and music) in 1994-95 is now a parish center housing religious education offices and meeting rooms.

In December 1997, phase II of the building expansion was completed. The school facilities now house 22 classrooms, science and computer labs, art and music rooms, a media center, administration offices, a clini and a cafetorium.

Ascension's physical plant is prepared now to educate for the future, and we will increase enrollment annually by thirty children into the year 2,000.