History
The history of St. Patrick School coincides with the history of St. Patrick Parish. On March 17, 1963, Bishop Thomas K. Gorman issued the decree which established St. Patrick Parish north of White Rock Lake. Construction of the St. Patrick School and Auditorium was begun on November 25, 1963. The building was completed for opening of the school year in September 1964.
When the school opened in September 1964, Sisters of Notre Dame of the Dallas province and lay teachers staffed the school with an enrollment of 326 students. At the end of the 1970-71 school year, the School Sisters of Notre Dame withdrew. Since 1971 lay teachers and the Sisters of Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament have staffed the school. In August 2008, Mrs. Frances L. Thompson became the first lay principal of St. Patrick.
In 1987 a vast building expansion program was completed adding eight classrooms, a science lab, a computer lab, an enlarged library, conference and tutor rooms, faculty room, a gym, an enlarged cafeteria and preschool classrooms. In the fall of 2002, a second major building project was completed. This expansion included the addition of a new computerized library with a large computer/media area and two music rooms for daily music instruction, hand bells, and choral music. Also renovation of existing rooms provided an art classroom, a lecture room, a larger clinic and additional teacher work space. An Extended Day program was opened in the fall of 1987 to provide after school care for students. The Extended Day program serves a daily average of approximately 130 students. A preschool program opened in the fall of 1988. The program serves approximately 70 students in three-year and four-year old classes.
St. Patrick School has a nine member Advisory Council elected by the parish which serves as the policy making body. An active parent/teacher organization, the PATS Club, provides educational programs for parents, services in the school, and does fundraising for special projects or needs for the school. Numerous parent volunteers help in many capacities. See the PATS Club web page for more details.
The academic curriculum includes Religion, Math, Language Arts (Reading, English, Spelling), Social Studies, Science, Art, Music, Health, Physical Education, Computer Education and Spanish, Grades 7-8.** Elective classes for grades 6-8 include Art, Choir, Band, Speech and Drama, Lego Robotics, Yearbook, Newsletter and Tech Apps.** A Gifted and Talented Enrichment program for all students in grades 1-8. ** A Take Flight Program for students with dyslexia for grades 1-4. A Guidance teacher is available for students in grades 7-8. A Content Mastery Program is offered in grades 5-8. A registered nurse is on duty throughout the day. Numerous extra-curricular opportunities are offered to the students.
In the late nineties and into the twenty first century St. Patrick School made great strides in technology. The school is wired for Internet access throughout the building and technology is integrated more into the daily curriculum. Technology is providing a more efficient way for communication and record keeping.
In the summer of 2014, St. Patrick School celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. With a steady enrollment of approximately 515 students, a supportive parish, involved parents, a stable and dedicated staff, and quality facilities, St. Patrick School's future is filled with promise and hope.
When the school opened in September 1964, Sisters of Notre Dame of the Dallas province and lay teachers staffed the school with an enrollment of 326 students. At the end of the 1970-71 school year, the School Sisters of Notre Dame withdrew. Since 1971 lay teachers and the Sisters of Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament have staffed the school. In August 2008, Mrs. Frances L. Thompson became the first lay principal of St. Patrick.
In 1987 a vast building expansion program was completed adding eight classrooms, a science lab, a computer lab, an enlarged library, conference and tutor rooms, faculty room, a gym, an enlarged cafeteria and preschool classrooms. In the fall of 2002, a second major building project was completed. This expansion included the addition of a new computerized library with a large computer/media area and two music rooms for daily music instruction, hand bells, and choral music. Also renovation of existing rooms provided an art classroom, a lecture room, a larger clinic and additional teacher work space. An Extended Day program was opened in the fall of 1987 to provide after school care for students. The Extended Day program serves a daily average of approximately 130 students. A preschool program opened in the fall of 1988. The program serves approximately 70 students in three-year and four-year old classes.
St. Patrick School has a nine member Advisory Council elected by the parish which serves as the policy making body. An active parent/teacher organization, the PATS Club, provides educational programs for parents, services in the school, and does fundraising for special projects or needs for the school. Numerous parent volunteers help in many capacities. See the PATS Club web page for more details.
The academic curriculum includes Religion, Math, Language Arts (Reading, English, Spelling), Social Studies, Science, Art, Music, Health, Physical Education, Computer Education and Spanish, Grades 7-8.** Elective classes for grades 6-8 include Art, Choir, Band, Speech and Drama, Lego Robotics, Yearbook, Newsletter and Tech Apps.** A Gifted and Talented Enrichment program for all students in grades 1-8. ** A Take Flight Program for students with dyslexia for grades 1-4. A Guidance teacher is available for students in grades 7-8. A Content Mastery Program is offered in grades 5-8. A registered nurse is on duty throughout the day. Numerous extra-curricular opportunities are offered to the students.
In the late nineties and into the twenty first century St. Patrick School made great strides in technology. The school is wired for Internet access throughout the building and technology is integrated more into the daily curriculum. Technology is providing a more efficient way for communication and record keeping.
In the summer of 2014, St. Patrick School celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. With a steady enrollment of approximately 515 students, a supportive parish, involved parents, a stable and dedicated staff, and quality facilities, St. Patrick School's future is filled with promise and hope.