• Athletics
• Faculty
• Contact Us
• School Calendar
• Gym Calendar

Our Mission

The purpose of North Little Rock Catholic Academy is to promote the development of Catholic/Christian principles and Gospel values. As a school community, we provide an atmosphere of faith, where students are called to academic excellence, self-discipline, respect, and knowledge of God and their Catholic heritage.

Accreditation

North Little Rock Catholic Academy is fully accredited by the Arkansas Nonpublic School Accreditation Association (ANSAA) and is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). The faculty is comprised of state-certified and a highly qualified experienced staff.

History

In the year 1898, the first school was erected at the corner of 16th street and Parker Street in North Little Rock, Formerly called Baring Cross or Argenta. Initially, this school was to serve the Catholic soldiers stationed at Fort Logan H. Roots, a short distant away. The community was established to serve twenty families and their children living in close proximity to the church.

Early archives are scanty until 1905. Fr. Robert J Jenne reported to the Bishop on February 2, 1905 that the church was well filled on Sundays and that there were 35-40 students at school. Fr. Jenne was instrumental in obtaining the Olivetian Benedictines Sister of Jonesboro to staff St. Mary's School. Fr. McManus was appointed pastor of St. Mary's in November 1905 teaching in the school and remained until October 1909. In October 1906 he reported to the Bishop that "...pew rents are going well and there were 62 children in school."

Fr. Peter Bartodziej was pastor of St. Mary's in 1912. He taught Religion class to the students and worked with the Altar Servers. He requested the Benedictine Sisters of Shoal Creek staff the school. Sisters Martha Charitas and Mercedes arrived in August 1912. Under Fr. Bartodziej's direction it took only a short time for the debt of the school to be paid off. Even though conditions were very poor and addition to the school was built. The school continued to grow until it suffered a serious setback in 1923 when there was a railroad strike and some families were forced to move away in search of employment. In 1925, a new church and school building was built. This was a two story building with the church upstairs and the school downstairs. In November 1926 the new church and school was dedicated. In 1928 Fr. Bartodziej built a two story rectory that housed Kindergarten.

The Benedictine Sisters of Fort Smith taught in the school until 1925 when the Mercy sister took over the school. The Sisters of Mercy from St. Patrick's came each day to teach St. Mary's children. Sisters Pia, Superior, M. Agatha, Mary Fredoline and Edeltrudis taught the school in the two room cottage next to the church and lived at 1201 West 16th Street.

On may 24, 1957, the second floor of the school was converted into a parish hall. In may 1962, Fr. Desmond purchased a lot and house adjoining the school property on the corner of 15th and Moss Streets to expand the playground of the school. The present school now sits on this site. The turn-of-the century schoolhouse was moved and stands less than less than 100 yards west of the present church. It is disguised in yellow.

Between 1970-72 the old brick school was torn down. The community had expanded to such an extent that the need for a new school was foreseen. After much sacrifice and hard work the present school was built in 1973. In August 1974 the school auditorium was blessed by Bishop Andrew J. McDonald (which now houses the St. Mary's Library, Computer Lab, Kindergarten and Pre-K classrooms). The Sisters of Mercy left St. Mary's School in 1978 after 53 years of service to St. Mary's children.

In 1988, an addition consisting of the Parish Center and Jr. High School was built and dedicated in memory of Msgr. Charles Kordesmier. In November, 1993, St. Mary's Church erected a sign in front of St. Mary's School. The sign surrounds the original cross which topped the 1926 church.

During the past 100 years St. Mary's School has grown from serving 20 families to serving 150 families and from teaching 35 students to teaching 217 students.