Serving students in Dallas, TX
Pre-K (3) through 8th grade
History
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St. Monica School Established
February 1, 1954
St. Monica School was established by the Diocese of Dallas. By November 1954, a campaign to raise $275,000 to support the construction of the school, church, and convent was launched. The school facilities (18 classrooms, kitchen, cafeteria, library, offices, and auditorium) were originally designed to support a total of 750 students.
St Monica School and Church Construction Contract
June 1, 1954
The construction contract for the new St. Monica school and church was awarded to Knowlton Construction Company for $450,200.
Bishop Augustine A. Danglmayr Broke Ground for Temporary Church & School Bldgs
February 21, 1955
Preliminary plans provided for the construction of twelve classrooms, but pre-opening enrollment indicated greater student numbers than were originally anticipated. As a result, it was decided to build a school with eighteen classrooms.
St. Monica School Opens
October 24, 1955
The Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, noted educators and administrators especially in Europe and the United States guided the school until the early 1980s. St. Monica was the first parochial school in the Southwest to be staffed by Bernardine Sisters. Classes began that Fall with 516 students, 11 Sisters, and 5 lay teachers.
A Record 948 Students Enrolled – New Classrooms Were Added
August 1, 1957
After 948 students enrolled in the 1957 school year, an additional $198,000 was needed to construct 12 more classrooms and complete the Convent.
St. Monica Was Bursting at the Seams
August 1, 1959
By the start of the 1959 school year, 1,346 students were being taught by 19 sisters and 10 lay teachers.
St. Monica School Endowment Fund Created
January 1, 1983
St. Monica School Endowment Fund Created by Rev. Donald Zimmerman
Dedication of New Middle School Wing
August 1, 1983
Fall 1983 Dedication of the New Middle School Wing
Dedication of McManus Hall
January 1, 1998
Dedication of McManus Hall. The building was designed to house the school administration, the library, two computer labs, two art rooms, two music rooms, an international studies classroom, a conference room, and the St. Monica parish Office of Faith Formation.
Awarded “Blue Ribbon School of Excellence”
May 1, 2003
Preschool Development Program Started
August 1, 2003
The Preschool Development Program started.
Dedication of the Family Center
August 1, 2004
Dedication of the Family Center. The new Family Center houses two gymnasiums, preschool classrooms, a large kitchen, two large meeting lounges, two conference rooms, and numerous classrooms and offices.
June Cooper Learning Center Established
March 1, 2014
The June Cooper Learning Center was constructed as part of a renovation that included the creation of three new spaces for the school and the parish. The first space, the June Cooper Learning Center, comprises a counselor’s office, two conference rooms, enrichment classrooms, a student support center, two classrooms for the Take Flight Program, and a tutoring room. The second space, located in what was the school’s original administrative wing, houses the new Office of Faith Formation and workspaces for catechists. The third space holds an office for the assistant principal and a conference/tutoring room.
St. Monica Catholic School Earns SACS CASI Accreditation
February 1, 2015
SACS CASI provides nationally-recognized accreditation, the purpose of which is continuous school improvement focused on increasing student performance. To earn accreditation, schools must meet SACS CASI’s high standards, be evaluated by a team of professionals from outside the school, and implement a continuous process of school improvement. “Accreditation demonstrates to our students, parents, and community that we are focused on raising student achievement, providing a safe and enriching learning environment, and maintaining an efficient and effective operation staffed by highly qualified educators,” stated Principal Philip Riley.
St. Monica Catholic School Begins Renovation
June 10, 2019
After a successful capital campaign, St. Monica started work on its two-year renovation plan. Each phase took place during the summer for minimal disruption to our students.
St. Monica Catholic School Moves to the President/Principal Model
May 26, 2020
St. Monica announces Mrs. Angeline Trudell as our new president and Mrs. Krisztina Shields as our new principal. Mrs. Trudell comes to us from the Diocese of Orange, California, and she brings with her over 30 years of educational experience. She has spent the last 12 years as the President/Lead Principal/Administrator of St. Junipero Serra Catholic School. Mrs. Shields has been with St. Monica for several years and was most recently an assistant principal for grades K-4th at St. Monica.
St. Monica Catholic School Introduces the June Cooper SMART Center
September 8, 2020
St. Monica announces the rebranding of our June Cooper Learning Center to the June Cooper SMART Center! SMART: St. Monica Academic Resource and Training Center. Along with this update, Mrs. Karen Smith is named Director of the June Cooper SMART Center.
St. Monica Catholic School Names a New Principal
July 1, 2023
St. Monica announces Mrs. Stephanie Garza as our new principal. Mrs. Garza is currently the principal at St. Pius X Catholic School in Dallas. She comes with a wealth of experience in teaching and administration. We are truly blessed that Mrs. Garza said yes to the calling to be the principal of St. Monica Catholic School. Along with her expertise, she brings a deep commitment to our Catholic faith, a dedication to teacher and student success, and a wealth of ideas rooted in sound educational strategies.