History of Saint Benedict Academy

Father Sylvester Yoerg, O.S.B., organized St. Raphael’s Parish in 1888 and planned for a school to occupy the second and third floors over the new church. The school, completed in 1889, was under the direction of the Benedictine Sisters from Elizabeth, New Jersey.  The four sisters lived in a house opposite the church and school on Fourth Street.  Thus, as a means of putting religion into education, St. Raphael’s School opened with 124 students.  Graduation for the first class of 4 students was held in 1891. In 1926 the Sisters of Mercy gradually took over the teaching duties at the school. By 1928, all of the Benedictine Sisters had returned to the Motherhouse in New Jersey, leaving behind many fond memories.

When the church and school were determined inadequate to meet the growing needs of the parish, a new church and a new modern school with eight classrooms were erected.  The school included a library and a cafeteria.  The two floors of the old school were removed and the old church was converted into a gymnasium for the new school.  The first classes were held in the new school in December 1964.  It was with great pride that, in 1965, the first class graduated from the “new school”.

In 1978 the Catholic School System was consolidated throughout the city, and the St. Raphael School building became the West Side Catholic Regional School- South Campus.  It housed Grades K-6 for the West Side parochial school children.  Grades 7 and 8 classes were held at West Side Catholic Regional School – North Campus, formerly Ste. Marie School.  After eighty-nine years, St. Raphael’s school no longer existed.

Due to demographic changes in the early 1990′s, the Diocese closed the North Campus (Saint Marie’s) and left one Catholic school opened on the West Side -known as West Side Catholic School.  Grades 7 and 8 moved to Saint Joseph’s junior High School on Pine Street.

In September of 2003, at the request of the Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Father Denis Audet, West Side Catholic would be renamed Saint Benedict Academy.  The school continues to provide a nurturing co-educational environment for elementary students in Grades K-6, offering excellent academics, Catholic faith development, and life building skills.

Today, Saint Benedict Academy flourishes: enriching students and families with a strong academic education rooted in the richness of the Catholic faith and traditions.